i^- 


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HISTORY 

OF    THE 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH 
DIVISION 

IN    THE 

WORLD  WAR 

1917-18-19 


Compiled  and  Edited  by 

THOMAS   F.   MEEHAN 

Secretary-Treasurer,  Association  of  the  78th  Division 


Copyrighted  1921  by  Association  of  the  ySth  Division. 


PRINTED   BY 
MERCANTILE  PRINTING  COMPANY 

WILMINGTON,     DELAWARE. 

NEW   YORK 
DODD,  MEAD  AND  COMPANY 

1921 


-1  !oi     ' 


DEDICATED    TO    THE    PARENTS 

OF  THE 

GALLANT    AMERICAN    SOLDIERS 

WHO  GAVE  THEIR  LIVES 
WHILE     SERVING     WITH 

THE  SEVENTY-EIGHTH  DIVISION 


466931 


PREFACE 

The  real  spirit  of  The  American  Expeditionary  Forces  in  France 
which  enabled  such  splendid,  decisive  accomplishment,  was  that  of 
ALL  FOR  ONE-ONE  FOR  ALL.  This  was  well  exemplified  in 
the  "Lightning"  78th  Division,  from  its  able  commander,  Major  General 
James  H.  McRae,  right  down  to  the  last  man  in  the  fighting  ranks.  TEAM- 
WORK AND  CO-OPERATION  in  the  common  cause  were  ever  their 
watchwords.  The  finely  balanced  brigades,  regiments,  battalions  and 
companies,  youthfully  enthusiastic,  confident,  and  determined — were 
always  quick  to  help  the  troubled  neighbor  on  the  right  or  left  of  their  line. 
Never  whining,  no  matter  how  heavy  or  severe  their  task,  promptly  and 
cheerfully  did  they  enter  it,  with  no  thought  of  self  or  possible  heralding 
of  fame. 

Many,  very  many  indeed,  were  the  unusually  brave,  heroic  deeds 
performed  by  men  and  oflficers  alike;  hundreds  of  which  will  forever  remain 
untold,  sealed  as  they  are,  upon  the  lips  of  death — for  frequently,  all 
observers  perished  in  the  exploits.  It  would  require  volumes  to  fully  set 
forth  the  intimate  details  of  the  many  known  immortal  deeds  of  indi- 
viduals and  combat  units  of  the  78th  Division,  in  its  comparatively  short 
but  thoroughly  strenuous  fighting  career — that  must  be  left  to  another 
time  and  a  pen  truly  capable  of  doing  them  proper  honor.  The  purpose  of 
this  book  is  to  set  forth  in  a  fairly  comprehensive  manner,  the  birth;  develop- 
ment; activities  and  achievements  of  a  representative  American  combat 
division,  composed  of  more  than  25,000  fine,  upstanding,  virile  Americans 
who  dropped  the  plow,  the  tool-kit  and  the  pen  to  become  Crusaders  all; 
willing  to  shed  their  life's  blood — as  many  did —  for  a  great  and  noble 
cause;  thinking  not  of  citations,  or  glittering  decorations;  thinking  only 
of  doing  their  "bit." 

Every  possible  care  has  been  taken  to  insure  accuracy  and  com- 
pleteness in  this  permanent  record  of  the  division's  activities.  The  actual 
battle-maps,  original  orders  and  messages  have  been  freely  consulted  and 
carefully  checked,  numerous  photographs  of  the  battle-fronts,  maps  and 
orders  have  been  reproduced  with  other  illustrations  that  will  enable 
every  man  who  served  with  the  division  to  have  a  thorough  comprehension 
of  the  "whys  and  wherefors"  of  the  strict  discipline;  seemingly  needless 
haste;  long,  forced  marches;  trying  orders;  gruelling  tasks  and  other  un- 
pleasant experiences  of  war  days  which  may  have  grated  then,  but  that 
now — with  the  lapse  of  time,  and  a  more  complete  and  mature  under- 
standing of  the  great  American  operations,  stand  out  clearly  as  part 
of  the  price  necessary  to  win  battles. 

Were  it  not  for  the  splendid  assistance  given  by  former  members  and 
good  friends  of  the  division,  the  publication  of  this  book  would  have  been 
much  longer  delayed  and  lacking  in  that  fulness  of  intimate  detail  shown 


Preface  5 

in  the  early  chapters.  Deep  appreciation  of  the  old  time  "78th  spirit"  of 
cheerful  co-operation  is  sincerely  given  to  Colonel  Wait  C.  Johnson,  Major 
Arthur  C.  Judd,  Captain  George  H.  McCaflFrey,  Lieutenants  Louis  N. 
Brockway  and  W.  H.  Burlingame,  Sergeant  Major  ClifiFord  Alliston, 
Mr.  I.  L.  Cochrane  of  Moorestown,  N.  J.,  and  the  many  others  to  whom 
large  credit  is  due,  for  what  merit  this  book  may  possess  and  such  pleasure 
and  enlightenment  its  perusal  may  give  the  reader. 

THOMAS  F.  MEEHAN. 
March  27th,  1921. 

Philadelphia. 


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CHRONOLOGY 

78th  DIVISION 


Division  organized  at  Camp  Dix. 

Major  General  James  H.  McRae  takes  command. 

Advance  Division  Hqrs.  leaves  for  overseas. 

Div.  embarks  for  overseas. 

Convoy  assembles  in  Halifax. 

Destroyers  meet  Convoy  in  Mid-Ocean, 

Submarine  attacks  Convoy.  , 


Landing,  Infantry  in  England,  Artillery  in  France. 

Infantry  assembles  at  Folkstone. 

Movement  by  water  to  Calais,  France. 

First  air  raid  on  Division  at  Calais. 

Rail  movement  to  Nielles  Area  back  of  Ypres  Sector,  with 

2nd  British  Army. 
Visit  by  General  Sir  Douglas  Haig. 

Trial  movement  of  entire  Division  on  short  notice  (1  hour). 
Visit  by  H.  R.  H.  Duke  of  Connaught. 
First  inspection  by  General  Pershing. 
Patriotic  celebration  in  all  units. 
Work  on  Oudezeele  Line  by  303rd  Engineers. 
Rail    movement   to    St.    Pol   Area    back    of   Arras  Sector, 

with  1st.  British  Army. 
King  George  of  England  visits  Division. 
Heavy  air  raid. 

Arty,  moves  by  rail  to  St,  Mihiel  Front. 
Movement  by  foot  to  take  over  lines  at  Vimy  Ridge. 
Withdrawn,  and  start  rail  movement  South   to    take   part 

in  St.  Mihiel  Drive. 
Pass  through  Amiens,  Beauvais,  Paris,  Chateau  Thierry. 
Detrain  in  Bourbonne  les  Bains  Area. 
Arty,  enters  line  in  Puvenelle  Sector  with  90th  Div, 
March    movement    under  Secret  orders   toward   St.    Mihiel 

Front  begins. 
Bourmont  Area  (remained  in  this  area  until  Sept.  4), 
March  movement  toward  Chatenois  Area. 
Inf.  embusses  at  Chatenois  for  Rosieres. 

March  movement  into  Reserve  Position  for  St.  Mihiel  Drive, 
Arty,  delivers  heavy  fire  in  St.  Mihiel  Offensive. 
March  movement  to  take  over  Limey  Sector. 
Takes  over  Limey  Sector  from  the  2nd  and  5th  Divisions. 
General  Pershing  visits  Division. 
Demonstration  to  cloak  Argonne  attack. 
Div.  relieved  by   89th   Div.,    and   begin   march   movement 

toward  Argonne. 
Gironville  Area. 
Benoite  Area. 
Beauchamp  Farm  Area. 
March  movement  into  Argonne. 
153rd  Arty,  Brig,  rejoins  the  Div. 


8  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

Oct.  15-1918     Takes  over  line  facing  Grand  Pr^,  Chevi^res,  Bois  des  Loges 

and  Cote  182  from  77th  Div. 
"  16     "         Attacks  on  Champigtieulle,  Bois  des  Loges  and  Grand  Pr^; 

Chevi^res  and  Cote  182  mopped  up. 
*'  18     '*         Attacks  on  Bois  des  Loges.     Ferme  des  Loges  occupied. 

"  19     "         Attacks  on  Bois  des  Loges. 

23     "         Attacks  on  Grand  Pr^,  Talma  Hill  taken. 
*•  24     "        Quiet.     General  Pershing  visits  Div. 

"  25     "         Foothold  gained  in  Bois  de  Bourgogne. 

27     "         Heights  north  of  Grand  Pr6  taken. 
"  28     "         Talma  village  taken. 

"  29     "  ^     Belle joyeuse  Farm  taken. 

30    *'        Quiet. 
Nov.  1     "         Big  Offensive.     Attack  Bois  des  Loges.      Fme  des  Loges 

reoccupied. 
"  2     "         Bois  des  Loges,  Beffu,  Le  Morthomme,  Briquenay,  Bois  de 

Thenorgues  taken.     Advance  6  kilos. 
"  3     "         Fighting   north.       Boult   aux    Bois,     Germont,     Belleville, 

Chatillion  sur  Bar,  Authe,   Brieulles,      Autruche    and 
Verrieres  taken.  Adv.  10  kilos. 
"  4     "         Petites  Armoises,  Tannay  and   Bois   de   Sy   taken.       Adv. 

4  kilos. 
"  5     "         Sy  taken.     Fighting  toward  Sedan — Adv.  4  kilos.     Relief  at 

noon    by    42nd    Div.     Assembled    at  Germont. 
Marching  back  to  rest,  encamped  at  Marcq  and  Chevieres. 
March  movement  to  Argonne  Camps. 
March  movement  to  Les  Islettes  Area. 
March  movement  to  Area  south  of  Ste.  Menehould. 
Rail  movement  to  21st  Training    Area    around     Semur   en 

Auxois. 
Scheduled  to  return  to  States  last  Div.  in  May. 
Review  by  General  Pershing. 

Division  released  to  S.  O.  S.  for  return  to  the  States. 
Artillery,  Ammunition  Train,  M.  G.  Battalions   and   Field 
Signal  Battalion  begin  movement  to  States  via  Marseilles. 
Arty,  and  M.  G.  Battalions  sail  from  Marseilles. 
Rail  movement  of  Div.  for  Bordeaux  Area. 
Division  scheduled  for  embarkation  to  States. 
All  units  of  the  Division  back  in  U.  S.  and  demobilized. 


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CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I.  Page 

Forming  the  Division  and  early  training  at  Camp  Dix      -         -      13 

CHAPTER  n. 

On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British    -         -  -         -      33 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  St.  Mihiel  Offensive        - 48 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Limey  Sector         -_-__-__      61 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Meuse-Argonne  Offensive.        -         -  -         -         -         -      87 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Pursuit  toward  Sedan     -  -         -         -         -         -  -137 

CHAPTER  VII. 

After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d'Or  and  Home        -         -         -         -    166 

CITATIONS  AND  DECORATIONS 

American  and    Allied,    awarded    Officers   and   Men 

of  the  78th  Division       - 194 

HONOR  ROLL. 

Officers  and  Men  who  gave  their  lives  while  serving 

with  the  78th  Division   - 9M 


MAJOR  GENERAL  JAMES  H.  McRAE 

Commander  78th  Division. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FORMING   THE    DIVISION   AND   EARLY   TRAINING   AT 

CAMP  DIX 


RENTON,  WRIGHTSTOWN,  CAMP  DIX !  What  names 
by  means  of  which  men  of  the  78th  Division  may  conjure 
up  the  past!  What  more  fitting  than  that,  within  cannon 
sound  of  the  historic  field  of  Trenton — made  famous  by 
the  first  victory  of  American  arms  over  the  Hun-Hessian 
Hirehngs — a  division  of  our  great  national  army  should 
receive  their  first  lessons  preparing  them  for  work  in  the 
World  War — a  work  whose  accomplishment  was  to  free 
this  nation  for  all  time  from  that  threat  of  German  mili- 
tary oppression,  which,  even  in  the  early  days  of  our 
struggle  for  independence,  first  made  itself  felt  in  this  country. 

As  Thiaucourt,  Grandpre  and  Bois  des  Loges  will  link  them- 
selves with  the  period  of  active  fighting,  and  Cote  d'Or  and  Semur 
with  the  tedious  days  of  waiting  for  the  homeward  journey,  so 
Trenton,  Wrightstown  and  Dix  will  forever  remain  ineradically 
fixed  in  memory  as  names  associated  with  that  most  trying  period 
in  our  militaristic  lives,  when  we  were  endeavoring  to  adjust  our- 
selves to  the  transition  from  easy  going  civilian  pursuits  to  the 
sterner  tasks  of  war.  For  most  of  our  ofiicers  this  chrysalis  period 
of  transition  took  place  under  the  immediate  eye  and  instruction 
of  Regular  Army  officers  at  The  First  Officer's  Training  Camp  at 
Madison  Barracks  in  New  York. 

Here  it  was  that  those  officers,  with  whom  the  rank  and  file 
of  the  Division  were  later  to  be  most  closely  associated,  learned 
those  principles  of  loyalty,  obedience  and  discipline  which  they 
imparted  to  their  companies  and  batteries.  Principles  upon  which 
a  solid  foundation  of  training  was  laid  and  which  came  into  their 
own  during  the  trying  days  around  Thiaucourt,  later  in  the  aggres- 
sive attacks  against  Grand  pre,  the  Bois  des  Loges  and  throughout 
the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive. 

As  if  the  historic  locality  in  which  the  78th  on  this  side  of 
the  Atlantic,  made  its  preparation  for  the  World  War  was  not 
suflScient  to  inspire  men  with  ideals  of  military  life,  additional 
incentive  was  found  in  the  name  of  the  camp  where  these  ideals 
were  formed.  *'Dix!"  A  name  that  conjures  up  the  historic  figure 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  who  in  1861  issued  that  famous 
order  to  a  revenue  officer  at  New  Orleans — '*If  any  one  attempts  to 
haul  down  the  American  flag  shoot  him  on  the  spot!"     He  it  was, 


14  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

John  Adams  Dix,  who  wrote  that  order,  and  a  Httle  later  in  '61  was 
a  Major  General  of  Volunteers,  serving  as  such  through  the  Civil 
War. 

The  corner  stone  for  the  foundation  of  the  organization  of 
the  Division  may  be  said  to  have  been  laid  on  the  23rd  of  August, 
1917,  on  which  date  Major  General  Chase  W.  Kennedy  arrived  to 
take  command  of  Camp  Dix  and  the  embryonic  division.  As 
changes  in  the  rank  and  file  of  the  division  came  with  sickening 
frequency,  beginning  in  November,  1917,  so  the  vicissitudes  of 
service  caused  many  changes  in  the  person  of  our  Division  Com- 
mander. No  less  than  four  generals  had  the  great  distinction  of 
commanding  the  78th  Division  before  one  came  who  was  permitted 
to  stay  with  us.  During  the  latter  part  of  November,  General 
Kennedy  left  the  division  for  a  tour  of  inspection  and  instruction  on 
the  Western  Battle  Front.  Then  in  quick  succession  the  division 
was  commanded  for  a  short  time  by  Brigadier  General  John  S. 
Mallory  and  Brigadier  General  James  T.  Dean.  On  the  7th  of 
January,  1918,  Major  General  Hugh  L.  Scott,  formerly  Chief  of 
Staff  of  the  Army,  came  to  us  fresh  from  a  tour  of  duty  at  the  front 
and  the  division  thought  it  had  come  into  its  own  as  far  as  a  perma- 
nent commander  was  concerned,  and  was  well  pleased.  However, 
this  was  not  to  be,  for  on  the  20th  of  April,  less  than  one  month 
before  we  were  to  start  out  on  the  Great  Adventure,  another  change 
came  and  General  Scott  was  replaced  by  Major  General  James  H. 
McRae.  Fate,  represented  by  the  War  Department,  decreed  that 
it  should  be  General  McRae  who  was  to  take  the  "Lightning" 
Division  overseas,  lead  it  throughout  its  operations  in  France  and 
bring  it  triumphantly  home.  That  he  accomplished  the  task  well 
is  attested  by  the  many  orders  from  higher  authority  praising  the 
Division  for  its  work.  That  he  accomplished  his  task  with  a  deep 
understanding  of  human  nature  and  a  fine  consideration  for  the  men 
and  officers  under  his  command,  is  proved  by  the  universal  love  and 
esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  all  those  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to 
wear  the  forked  lightning  upon  their  left  shoulder.  So  much  for 
our  commanders. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  those  men,  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Divi- 
sion, who  at  their  country's  call,  laid  aside  their  peace-time  pursuits 
and  for  a  short  period  donned  the  army  olive  drab  in  order  to  assist 
in  freeing  the  world  from  the  threat  of  Hun  military  despotism. 
Following  the  Division  Commander,  the  first  troops  to  arrive  com- 
prised a  detachment  of  forty  officers  and  three  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven  men  of  the  Medical  Corps,  under  command  of  Major 
W.  E.  Ashton,  who  arrived  at  Camp  Dix  in  the  early  morning  hours 
of  the  27th  of  August,  1917.  Twenty-four  hours  later  came  1,200 
brand  new  officers  from  the  1st  Officers'  Training  Camp  at  Madison 
Barracks.     What  a  day  in  the  memory  of  these  officers  must  the 


Forming  the  Division  and  Early  Training  at  Camp  Dix      15 

28th  day  of  August  ever  remain!  It  was  their  first  experience  of 
what  they  might  look  forward  to  for  some  months  to  come.  What 
a  contrast  with  the  precision  and  detail  of  the  previous  three  months 
at  Madison  Barracks !  Carefully  coached  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
they  should  present  themselves,  salute  and  report  to  their  new 
Commanding  General,  each  one  as  the  most  indispensible  part  of 
that  nebulous  whole — The  78th  Division.  Even  this  reward,  for 
three  months  hard  study,  was  denied  them  and  without  even 
obtaining  a  glimpse  of  him  who  sat  upon  the  "Throne  of  Olympus," 
they  were  told  to  register  and  look  on  the  bulletin  board  where 
they  would  find  orders  as  to  what  part  of  the  camp  they  should  go 
and  to  whom  they  were  to  next  report.  In  addition  to  all  this  there 
was  the  dirt  and  dust,  hustle  and  bustle,  and  apparent  confusion 
and  disorder  attendant  upon  the  mechanical  construction  of  Camp 
Dix,  for  this  was  still  going  on  at  the  time  of  the  first  military 
arrivals  and  continued  to  be  with  us  well  into  the  winter  months. 
Shades  of  West  Point !    What  an  introduction  to  the  Army ! 

It  was  but  a  short  time  now  before  the  National  Army  men 
would  begin  to  arrive  and  the  next  week  was  a  busy  one  for  all 
concerned.  As  far  as  the  official  personnel  was  concerned,  most 
of  the  divisional  organizations  were  provided  for  in  the  original 
orders  and  all  units  were  ready  and  anxious  for  the  first  arrival  of 
those  men  who  were  to  form  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the  completed 
whole.  As  the  various  headquarters  were  busy  with  orders  of 
assignment  and  organization,  so  company  commanders  were  occu- 
pied in  obtaining  clothing,  cots,  blankets,  kitchen  and  dining  equip- 
ment and  the  thousand  and  one  articles  that  are  necessary  in  the 
life  of  a  company  or  battery.  All  of  this  in  preparation  for  that 
mystic  day,  the  5th  of  September,  which  was  to  see  the  arrival  of 
the  "^ first  five  percent." 

Following  instructions  from  the  War  Department  a  system  of 
localization  of  divisional  units  had  been  worked  out  by  Division 
Headquarters.  As  is  well  known,  under  original  orders  from  the 
Provost  Marshal  General,  draft  men  from  the  western  part  of  New 
York  and  all  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware  were  mobilized  at  Camp 
Dix  for  assignment  to  the  78th  Division.  Under  the  first  localiza- 
tion provided  for  by  Division  Headquarters,  units  were  composed 
as  follows: 

309th  and  310th  Infantry,  307th  and  309th  Artillery— New 
York  State. 

311th  and  312th  Infantry,  308th  Artillery— New  Jersey. 

Divisional  Machine  Gun  Battalion — Delaware. 

1st  Battalion,  303rd  Engineers — ^New  Jersey. 

2nd  Battalion,  303rd  Engineers — New  York. 

Other  units  of  the  division  to  be  organized  by  transfer  of 
qualified  men,  irrespective  of  the  locality  of  their  origin. 


16  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

While  the  system  of  locaHzation  has  many  points  in  its  favor, 
many  serious  defects  were  soon  noted  and  the  system  of  assignment 
of  men  according  to  their  quahfications,  later  adopted  by  the  War 
Department,  to  a  large  extent  neutralized  the  allocation  idea. 
Furthermore,  before  departure  overseas,  men  from  many  different 
states  were  assigned  and  the  division  became  very  cosmopolitan  in 
character. 

September  5th,  1917,  was  a  red  letter  day  in  the  history  of 
Camp  Dix  and  other  National  Army  cantonments  throughout  the 
United  States;  also  in  the  lives  of  those  men  who  were  first  to 
answer  their  country's  call  under  the  operation  of  the  new  selective 
service  regulation.  "America's  First  Five  Percent!"  "England's 
First  One  Hundred  Thousand!"  As  General  Sir  Ian  Hamilton 
has  written  of  England's  first  offering,  so  some  day  an  author,  with 
a  pen  worthy  of  the  theme,  will  arise  and  write  an  epic  upon  that 
first  small  percent,  of  the  original  draft  who  were,  by  the  operation 
of  that  law,  primarily  inducted  into  the  service  of  their  country. 
In  contrast  to  the  poorly  administered  draft  laws  of  the  Civil  War 
and  the  attendant  draft  riots  of  '63  and  '64,  the  draft  men  of  1917 
received  the  acclaim  of  their  fellow  citizens  and  amid  waving  of 
flags  and  the  fanfare  of  trumpets  left  their  homes  to  take  up  the 
sombre  duties  of  war.  Indeed,  many  contingents  were  even  accom- 
panied to  Camp  with  bands  playing  and  banners  flying,  these  latter 
with  many  and  weird  legends,  proclaiming  to  the  world  that  "A 
United  America"  had  entered  the  War,  and  that  the  embattled 
hosts  of  Germany  might  well  look  to  the  future  when  armies,  raised 
amidst  such  demonstrations  of  patriotism,  would  find  their  places 
upon  the  Western  Battle  Front. 

In  writing  of  such  stirring  events,  one  is  apt  to  overlook  the 
more  intimate  touches  of  human  interest  upon  which  a  story  like 
this  must  rely  for  appeal  to  its  readers.  Such  a  little  incident 
occurred  at  Division  Headquarters  early  on  the  5th.  It  was  but 
natural  that  draftees  from  New  Jersey  should  be  the  first  to  report 
upon  that  date  and  to  some  one  may  have  come  the  inspiration  to 
be  the  first  to  inscribe  his  name  upon  the  rolls  of  the  78tli  Division. 
Such  a  one  was  Clarence  Brown  of  Parkertown,  Ocean  County, 
New  Jersey.  He  was  the  first  to  arrive  on  that  eventful  day  but  in 
his  haste  to  be  first  he  had  forgotten  his  papers  and  hence  he  saw 
the  honor  of  being  first  enrolled  passed  to  George  M.  Aikens  and 
Frank  Stewart,  both  from  Mount  Holly,  N.  J. 

From  among  these  first  arrivals  and  the  first  contingents  from 
Regular  Regiments  arriving  about  the  same  time,  came  many  of  the 
Non-Commissioned  Officers  who  formed  the  training  cadres  for  all 
the  divisional  units.  The  original  five  percent,  were  supposed  to 
be  picked  men  and  that  they  were  is  attested  by  the  speed  with 
which  they  acquired  knowledge  of  matters  military  and  the  manner 


Some  of  the  first  arrivals  at  Camp  Dix  on   September   5,    1917.      Fresh  from   factory, 
farm  and  office,  these  men  were  to  become  part  of  the  "Lightning"  78th  Division. 


Upon  reaching  the  barracks  they  found  workmen  still  engaged   in   construction.     The 
feverish  hustle  and  bustle  prompted  them  to  call  the  place  Camp  "Delirious"  rather  than 

Camp  Dix. 


18  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

in  which  they  later  carried  out  their  duties  as  instructors.  Indeed 
it  was  not  long  before  they  gave  the  appearance  of  trained  soldiers 
and  their  facility  for  picking  up  those  terms  and  mannerisms  of 
seasoned  soldiers  seemed  almost  to  give  them  the  status  of  veterans 
among  the  future  drafts.  For  these  men  the  days  preceding  the 
first  big  increnjent  of  the  draft  were  most  certainly  busy  ones  and 
yet  so  quickly  did  they  learn  and  so  easily  adapt  themselves  to  the 
conditions  of  military  life  that  they  were  of  inestimable  benefit  in 
handling  the  great  number  of  draftees  who  began  arriving  in  camp 
on  the  20th  of  September.  It  was  really  upon  this  latter  date  that 
men  of  the  National  Army  began  arriving  at  Camp  Dix  in  such 
numbers  as  to  indicate  that  at  a  no  great  distant  date  the  Armies  of 
America  would  become  an  actuality  rather  than  a  nebulous  possi- 
bility. 

The  thrill  of  the  afternoon  of  September  20th  will  never  be 
forgotten.  From  the  porch  of  Division  Headquarters  building  were 
seen  about  2,000  New  Jersey  men,  destined  for  the  156th  Brigade, 
who  appeared  upon  the  road  passing  by  Headquarters,  on  the  Hill, 
and  leading  toward  the  311th  and  312th  Infantry.  They  were 
indeed  a  motley  crew.  The  heterogenous  and  in  some  cases  the 
tatterdemailion  character  of  the  clothes,  each  man  carrying  a  hand 
bag  or  a  bundle,  slung  upon  a  stick  over  his  shoulder  and  straggling 
along  in  columns  of  fours,  which  they  attempted  to  maintain,  gave 
the  impression  of  a  Coxey's  Army. 

The  Division  Commander  was  called  to  witness  the  first  great 
influx  of  his  men.  On  him,  the  trained  soldier,  taught  by  many 
years  of  army  life  to  read  characters  at  a  glance,  the  nondescript 
dress  of  the  men  made  no  impression.  He  looked  into  their  faces, 
observed  the  set  of  their  shoulders,  the  manner  in  which  they  carried 
themselves  and  looking,  voiced  his  sentiments — "One  sees  deter- 
mination and  purpose  depicted  there  and  seeing,  one  feels  safe  in 
leaving  the  future  of  America  in  their  care."  Two  years  later, 
almost  to  a  day,  was  heard  a  similar  tribute  offered  to  the  finished 
product  of  the  American  Soldier,  this  time  by  a  colonel  of  an  Allied 
Army.  It  was  during  the  parade  in  Paris  attendant  upon  the  cele- 
bration of  the  signing  of  peace.  "Pershing's  Own,"  than  whom  no 
finer  body  of  troops  ever  paraded,  was  marching  by  when  a  Colonel 
of  the  French  General  Staff  touched  an  American  officer  on  the 
shoulder  and  in  his  halting  English  paid  a  worthy  compliment  to 
the  American  Doughboy.  He  said — "Colonel,  when  you  see  a  regi- 
ment of  soldiers  like  that  you  feel  rather  safe  for  the  future  of 
America,  do  you  not.^^" 

With  the  arrival  of  the  men  during  the  latter  part  of  Sep- 
tember, the  aspect  of  Camp  Dix  changed  from  that  of  a  western 
boom  mining  town  to  one  of  a  military  nature.  Prior  to  these 
arrivals,  the  civilians  engaged  in  construction  had  been  in  the  vast 


20  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

majority,  although  there  had  always  been  a  scattering  of  soldiers. 
These  latter  indeed  were  the  first  arrivals  at  Camp  Dix,  since  on 
the  morning  of  June  1st,  a  detachment  of  Company  C,  1st  Bat- 
talion, New  Jersey  Engineers,  arrived  and  pitched  the  first  camp, 
preparatory  to  making  the  preliminary  surveys  for  laying  out  the 
future  cantonment. 

It  is  thus  seen  that  less  than  three  months  before  Camp  Dix 
became  a  large  military  cantonment,  with  barracks  capable  of 
sheltering  50,000  men,  the  first  surveys  of  the  ground  had  yet  to  be 
made  and  the  thousand  of  acres,  that  were  to  compose  the  camp 
presented  the  peaceful  appearance  of  sleepy  New  Jersey  farms, 
dotted  here  and  there  with  houses  and  barns.  The  original  plans 
for  the  camp  prepared  in  Washington,  provided  for  a  huge  U- 
shaped  cantonment,  with  barracks  on  either  side,  store-houses, 
shops,  etc.,  at  the  bend  in  the  U  and  spacious  parade  grounds  within 
the  enclosure. 

To  write  a  complete  story  of  the  construction  of  Camp  Dix 
would  require  more  space  than  is  alloted  to  this  entire  chapter. 
However,  a  few  of  the  high  spots  will  be  touched  upon,  lest  in 
writing  of  the  early  days  of  our  military  camp,  no  words  of  tribute 
be  paid  to  the  triumph  of  efficiency  in  system  and  construction 
which  made  possible  our  future  home.  It  is  doubtful  if  many  of 
those  who  made  their  first  military  home  at  Camp  Dix  ever  stopped 
to  consider  the  magnitude  of  the  task  that  was  undertaken  on  that 
bright  morning  in  early  June. 

The  War  Department  at  Washington  had  decided  that  the 
terrible  mistakes  of  our  mobilization  of  1898  would  not  be  repeated; 
hence  out  of  a  comparative  wilderness,  it  was  necessary  to  construct 
a  city,  with  all  modern  improvements,  capable  of  housing  and 
caring  for  50,000  people.  No  small  undertaking  in  itself,  and  when 
the  work  must  needs  be  completed  in  three  months,  the  size  of  the 
task  staggers  the  imagination. 

There  was  a  railroad  system  with  sidings,  spurs,  freight  houses 
and  stations  to  be  constructed;  a  complete  system  of  metalled- 
surfaced  roads  for  the  entire  camp;  a  water  system  with  a  16-inch 
main,  bringing  water  a  distance  of  8  miles,  and  20  additional  miles 
of  mains;  a  complete  fire  department;  buildings  to  house  the  troops; 
a  cold  storage  and  refrigerating  system;  store  houses  for  food, 
clothing,  and  strictly  military  supplies;  hospitals,  bakeries,  salvage, 
clothing  and  shoe  repair  shops,  complete  instaiUation  of  a  camp 
telephone  system,  and  finally,  a  complete  electric  lighting  system. 

Having  read  of  these,  a  few  of  the  manifold  tasks  of  construc- 
tion— do  you,  men  of  the  78th,  the  first  to  arrive,  wonder  that  the 
camp  was  not  entirely  complete  upon  your  arrival?  Is  it  not  rather 
a  wonder  that  you  were  even  provided  with  any  of  the  creature 
comforts    of   modern    civilization.'^     That   you   were    so   provided. 


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22  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

speaks  volumns  of  praise  for  20th  Century  American  Industry  and 
the  men  to  whom  the  work  of  constructing  Camp  Dix  was  intrusted. 

Coincident  with  the  arrival  of  sufficient  men,  with  whom  to 
work,  began  that  system  of  intensive  training  from  which  such 
splendid  results  were  later  obtained. 

Division  Headquarters  early  sent  forth  the  dictum  that  the 
three  essential  features  of  our  training  on  this  side,  for  infantry 
especially,  and  followed  out  as  far  as  possible  for  all  arms  and 
services,  would  be: 

1.  Close  order  drills,  with  and  without  arms,  for  disciplinary 
purposes. 

2.  Physical  and  Bayonet  training. 

3.  Careful  instruction  in  musketry. 

To  the  latter  end,  strenuous  efforts  to  complete  immediately, 
infantry,  artillery  and  machine  gun  ranges,  were  made,  and  by  the 
middle  of  November,  all  of  these  ranges  were  in  working  order,  and 
constantly  used. 

Early  training  was  greatly  handicapped  by  lack  of  arms  and 
equipment,  but  an  inspection  trip  through  camp  any  day  during 
September,  October  or  November  was  sufficient  to  convince  any 
one  that  the  spirit  of  the  American  Army  could  not  be  daunted  by 
such  minor  obstacles  as,  lack  of  rifles  for  the  infantry,  machine  guns 
for  these  outfits,  or  cannon,  or  even  horses  for  the  artillery.  On 
every  training  ground  was  manifest  the  triumph  of  mind  over 
matter,  and  nowhere  was  this  fact  more  forcibly  driven  home  than 
in  a  trip  to  any  one  of  the  three  regiments  of  artillery  where 
mechanical  improvisations  were  made  to  take  the  place  not  only  of 
guns  but  of  carriages  even,  and  horses. 

The  result  of  all  this  work  was  that  when  equipment  did 
arrive  the  work  and  place  of  the  individual  in  all  formations  had 
been  learned  and  all  efforts  could  be  bent  to  learning  the  actual 
mechanical  operation  of  the  arm. 

While,  as  above  stated,  some  arms  and  equipment  were  lack- 
ing, there  appeared  to  be  from  the  first  a  great  excess  of  picks  and 
shovels  and  great  use  was  made  of  these,  under  direction  of  the 
Engineers,  in  the  construction  of  the  so-called  "Entrenched  Area  of 
Camp  Dix."  This  was  destined  to  give  the  men  of  the  78th  a  taste 
of  life  in  the  trenches.  As  the  complete  system  was  never 
finished,  about  the  only  "taste"  that  the  men  received  was  from  an 
over-dose  of  instruction  in  the  use  of  those  aforesaid  numerous  picks 
and  shovels. 

In  addition  to  the  usual  regimental,  battalion,  battery  and 
company  schools  for  officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and  selected 
privates.  Divisional  Schools  were  organized  in  all  the  specialties. 
Through  these  schools  passed  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers. 


Forming  the  Division  and  Early  Training  at  Camp  Dix      23 

who  in  turn  went  back  to  their  units  and  passed  on  the  instruction 
which  they  had  received  in  the  division  centers  of  learning.  With 
the  arrival  of  the  officers  from  the  British  and  French  Armies,  they 
were  assigned  as  advisory  instructors  in  these  schools  and  by  their 
soldierly  example,  intimate  knowledge  of  their  specialties  and  their 
prestige,  due  to  the  fact  that  they  were  men  who  knew  the  great 
game  by  actual  experience,  the  value  of  their  services  cannot  well 
be  measured.  Long  will  be  remembered  the  splendid  work  of  these 
men : — 

British  Mission — 

Captain  Arthur  H.  Cobham,  Bayonet  and  Physical  Instructor, 
Captain  Edward  H.  Petre,  Machine  Gun  Instructor. 
Captain  Thomas  Barrow-Green,  Trench  Mortar  Instructor. 
Lieutenant  William  J.  Howieson,  Gas  Instructor. 
Sergeant  Major  William  L.  McArthur,  Bayonet. 
Sergeant  Fred  Tupman,  Machine  Gun. 
Sergeant  J.  G.  Licence,  Light  Trench  Mortar. 
Sergeant  J.  R.  Chalmers,  Gas. 

French  Mission — 

Lieutenant,  Auguste  Arrighi,  Infantry. 
Lieutenant  Jean  Meslier,  Infantry. 
Sergeant  Andre  L.  Boutier,  Engineers. 

Their  different  colored  uniforms  created  a  new  atmosphere  at 
Camp  Dix,  and  added  a  touch  of  realism  to  the  instruction.  Espe- 
cially was  the  touch  of  realism  added  one  morning  in  the  Bayonet 
School,  of  which  Captain  Cobham  of  the  Canadian  Army  was 
advisory  instructor.  Among  his  many  qualifications  as  an  instruc- 
tor. Captain  Cobham  possessed  the  very  essential  one  of  being  able 
to  estimate,  at  a  glance,  the  manner  in  which  his  instruction  was 
being  received.  On  the  occasion  in  question,  he  was  demonstrating 
to  the  class  of  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  a  certain  blow 
with  the  butt  of  the  rifle  in  close-in  bayonet  work.  He  noticed  that 
one  of  the  lieutenants  did  not  apparently  have  much  faith  in  the 
particular  line  of  attack,  whereupon  he  said:  "Lieutenant,  you  do 
not  appear  to  have  much  respect  for  this  blow."  The  lieutenant 
admitted  that  such  was  the  case,  and  Captain  Cobham  said:  "If 
you  are  willing,  Lieutenant,  I  should  like  to  demonstrate  that  this 
blow  can  be  used  effectively.  You  put  on  the  mask,  plastron  and 
gloves,  and  come  at  me  as  if  you  meant  business.  I  will  not  put  on 
any  protection  and  will  use  only  the  blow  I  have  been  showing  you. 
You  must  be  careful  as  I  may  hurt  you  a  little."  The  challenge  was 
accepted   and   protected   with   mask   and   plastron,   the  lieutenant 


24  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

attacked  Cobham,  who  side-stepped  his  rush,  used  the  blow  in 
question,  and  as  a  result  of  that  one  blow,  even  with  the  plastron 
for  protection,  the  lieutenant  went  to  the  hospital  with  three  broken 
ribs.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  entire  class  and  the  lieutenant  in 
particular  from  that  time  on  had  much  more  respect  for  the  teach- 
ings of  Captain  Cobham.  It  was  a  severe  lesson,  severely  given,  but 
to  the  eternal  credit  of  the  young  officer  he  took  his  medicine  like 
a  man  and  later  admitted  that  "Captain  Cobham"  certainly  was  a 
fine  instructor  in  bayonet  work. 

Eight  hours  of  intensive  work  a  day,  in  any  line  of  endeavor, 
will  bring  results,  especially  when  the  men  engaged,  both  teacher 
and  pupil,  bring  to  that  work  all  the  spirit,  interest,  and  enthusiasm 
of  which  they  are  capable.  No  one  incident  better  illustrates  the 
success  which  the  early  training  of  the  Lightning  Division  accom- 
plished than  the  first  real  assembly  of  all  the  units  thereof.  This 
took  place  on  the  17th  of  October,  when,  during  the  Second  Liberty 
Loan  Drive,  the  Division  was  brought  together  to  listen  to  a  speech 
by  the  Honorable  Henry  Van  Dyke,  former  U.  S.  Minister  to  Hol- 
land. 

To  one,  who,  on  that  September  20th,  less  than  one  short 
month  ago  had  seen  the  straggling  columns  of  men  winding  their 
hot  and  tedious  way  toward  the  quarters  of  the  156th  Brigade  and 
who,  on  this  occasion  saw  the  uniformed  ranks,  moving  almost 
with  the  precision  of  seasoned  soldiers  all  in  step,  and  well  aligned 
to  their  assigned  positions,  to  such  a  man  who  had  been  granted  the 
privilege  to  see  these  men  on  both  occasions  there  was  but  one 
word  to  express  his  feeling — '^Marvelous'' — and  but  one  phrase  to 
explain  the  marvel — *'/f  is  the  spirit  of  awakened  Americar' 

The  contingents  which  had  come  in  September  had  brought 
all  units  of  the  Division,  except  certain  special  services,  such  as 
ammunition  and  supply  trains,  up  to  about  70  per  cent,  of  their 
authorized  war  strength.  Such  was  the  progress  made  by  the 
continual  round  of  drills  by  day  and  schools  by  night,  that  by  the 
latter  part  of  October  and  the  first  of  November,  battalion  and 
regimental  formations  were  becoming  almost  of  daily  occurence  and 
occasionally,  just  to  show  that  we  were  beginning  to  realize  that 
there  were  some  larger  military  units,  a  brigade  parade,  review  or 
inspection  was  held.  In  fact  so  fast  had  been  the  progress  that  the 
Division  was  fast  assuming  the  appearance  of  a  united  whole  rather 
than  an  assemblage  of  disjointed  parts.  It  began  to  feel  its  own 
power  and  strength  as  a  strong  man  does  when  recovering  from  a 
long  sickness.  It  realized  that  the  time  was  fast  approaching  when 
it  would  consider  itself  fit  to  take  its  place  upon  the  battle  line. 
Its  spirit  was  much  the  same  as  that  of  the  mouse  which  had  come 
across  a  glass  of  rare  old  wine  in  a  store  room  and  had  imbibed 
freely.    As  the  efiFects  of  the  fiery  liquor  began  to  course  through  its 


Forming  the  Division  and  Early  Training  at  Camp  Dix       25 

veins  the  mouse  reared  itself  upon  its  hing  legs  and  let  forth  a  chal- 
lenge, "Whoopee,  bring  on  that  cat."  So  it  was  with  the  division, 
it  began  to  feel  its  power  and  feeling,  stretched  itself  and  said, 
"Where  are  they?    Bring  on  the  Huns!'* 

Such  we  were  at  the  first  of  November  and  then  the  blow  fell. 
This  blow  was  the  first  great  transfer  of  men  to  organizations  out- 
side the  division.  Some  men  were  destined  for  immediate  overseas 
service  and  others  to  make  good  deficiencies  in  National  Guard 
Divisions  that  were  to  go  overseas  as  soon  as  their  ranks  were  filled. 
This  was  followed  by  others  with  almost  heartbreaking  frequency, 
until  in  December  and  January,  companies  throughout  the  camp, 
which  had  in  November  boasted  as  high  as  175  men,  were  reduced 
to  less  than  50.  At  the  time  it  was  hard  to  bear  to  see  such  an 
organization  as  the  division  had  come  to  be,  shot  to  pieces  and 
scattered  to  the  four  corners  of  the  earth. 

The  spirit  and  enthusiasm  of  officers  and  men  suffered  a  severe 
shock  and  it  was  hard  to  be  reconciled  to  the  fact  that  stern  neces- 
sity made  such  severe  measures  necessary.  As  time  has  healed  a 
few  of  the  bruises  that  we  suffered  we  realize  that  it  was  all  for  the 
best,  and  that,  even  at  that  early  date,  we  were  already  helping  to 
fill  in  the  details  of  the  larger  picture  and  should  not  have  been  too 
narrowly  confined  to  the  one  small  section  that  our  Division  repre- 
sented. Men,  were  needed  at  the  front  at  once,  even  before  our 
own  larger  unit,  as  such,  was  equipped  and  ready  to  go,  and  those 
with  the  larger  vision  of  the  entire  picture  must  needs  take  the 
materials  where  they  found  them  to  fill  in  those  portions  which 
necessity  demanded  should  be  completed  at  once.  Thus  we  may 
console  ourselves  that  at  the  beginning,  even  as  at  the  end,  the 
Lightning  Division  rose  to  the  occasion  when  called  upon.  The 
effect  of  these  wholesale  transfers  upon  the  spirit  of  the  Division 
was  something  like  that  of  the  gambler  who  had  been  suffering 
heavy  losses  and  when  asked  by  a  friend  if  he  was  broke  replied 
"No,  not  broke  yet,  only  a  little  bent." 

The  Division  spirit,  manifest  from  the  first,  recovered  from 
the  little  bending  it  had  received  by  reason  of  losing  so  many  of 
its  original  members  and  throughout  the  winter  months  showed 
itself  in  bringing  to  such  a  state  of  perfection  the  training  of  those 
who  remained  that  in  the  spring,  when  new  increments  came  in 
great  numbers,  every  man  of  them  was  in  himself  an  instructor. 

Lest  anyone  obtain  the  impression  from  what  has  already 
been  written,  that  every  waking  moment  at  Camp  Dix  was  devoted 
to  the  stern  lessons  of  the  war  god  Mars,  let  us  digress  for  a  few 
moments  and  review  some  of  those  other  activities,  which,  though 
more  closely  associated  with  civil  life,  still  formed  a  very  necessary 
part  of  our  lives  while  we  were  learning  the  art  of  war.  Early  in  our 
existence,  those  who  were    responsible   for  directing   our    destinie 


26  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

decided  that  **A11  work  and  no  play  makes  Jack  a  dull  boy/*  and  a 
generous  amount  of  athletics,  mass  games,  and  play  were  inter- 
spersed with  our  sterner  duties. 

An  intra-divisional  football  tournament,  in  which  teams  from 
twelve  independent  units  of  the  camp  participated,  was  the  first 
athletic  event  of  a  pretentious  nature  to  engage  our  attention.  No 
one  who  saw  the  307th  Field  Artillery  and  the  311th  Infantry  fight 
each  other  to  a  10-10  tie  in  their  efforts  to  win  the  Division  cham- 
pionship, can  easily  forget  the  sight  of  six  thousand  madly  cheering 
soldiers,  lining  opposite  sides  of  the  field  and  each  side  vainly  im- 
ploring their  teams  to  put  across  the  final  punch  that  would  mean 
victory.  Following  closely  upon  our  own  camp  championship, 
teams  representing  the  Division  defeated  the  76th  Division  from 
Camp  Devens  on  November  17th,  at  Braves  Field,  Boston,  and 
later,  on  the  1st  of  December,  trailed  the  colors  of  the  79th  Division 
in  the  dust  of  Franklin  Field,  Philadelphia,  to  the  tune  of  13-6. 
It  was  in  this  game  that  the  311th  Infantry,  representing  the  Light- 
ning Division,  gave  an  example  of  that  fighting  spirit  which  later 
made  them  famous  in  the  Argonne.  With  the  score  as  stated  above 
and  two  minutes  yet  to  play,  the  311th  team  found  themselves 
upon  their  own  one  yard  line  with  the  ball  in  the  enemy's  possession 
and  first  down!  Could  any  situation  have  been  nore  serious.'^  But 
the  79th  Division  men  found  themselves  up  against  the  do-or-die 
spirit  of  the  78th.  Four  desperate  plunges  by  the  79th  failed  to 
gain  a  yard  and  the  78th  had  the  ball — had  the  ball  and  with  it  the 
inter-divisional  championship  of  the  northeastern  camps. 

Following  on  the  steps  of  football,  basketball  and  track  ath- 
letics held  sway  during  the  winter  months.  In  the  former,  the 
309th  Infantry  carried  off  Divisional  honors.  In  the  latter  we  put 
a  relay  team  into  the  field  which  won  every  race  in  which  it  com- 
peted. Its  hardest  opponent  was  the  Boston  Navy  Yard  team,  but 
by  winning  from  this  team  at  Madison  Square  Garden  in  January, 
1918,  the  78th  men  won  the  Army  and  Navy  Championship. 

As  the  long  winter  months  gave  way  to  the  bright  sun  of 
spring,  all  other  sports  faded  into  the  background  and  America's 
national  pastime  came  into  its  own.  A  division  diamond  was  built, 
with  grand  stand  and  bleacher  seats,  just  southeast  from  the  Head- 
quarters group  of  buildings  and  arrangements  made  for  an  extensive 
schedule.  In  addition  to  teams  in  the  two  leagues  which  were 
formed,  a  division  team  was  chosen  from  the  best  material  in  the 
camp. 

Our  season  was  not  far  advanced  when  came  our  summons  to 
duty  overseas,  and  we  put  aside  the  bat  and  ball,  the  spiked  shoe, 
and  took  up  the  rifle,  bayonet  and  hand  grenade.  As  we  ring  down 
the  curtain  upon  or  athletic  activities,  let  us  hope  that  some  at  least 
of  those  qualities  of  grit,  loyalty  and  team  play,  of  which  the  divi- 


Forming  the  Division  and  Early  Training  at  Camp  Dix       27 

sion  gave  such  evidence  in  all  its  active  service,  were  learned  upon 
the  cinder  path,  the  baseball  diamond,  or  fighting  beneath  the  goal 
posts  of  the  football  field.  As  the  men  of  the  division  had  played 
so  later  they  fought. 

One  of  the  many  problems  that  confronted  the  Division 
authorities  from  the  very  beginning,  was  the  continual  stream  of 
visitors  that  almost  daily,  and  especially  on  Saturdays,  Sundays 
and  holidays  wended  their  way  to  camp.  So  great  did  this  week- 
end traffic  become  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  require  that  all 
autos  be  parked  without  the  limits  of  camp  and  the  journey  through 
camp  made  on  foot.  The  points  of  interest  in  camp  were  so  numer- 
ous and  varied  that,  aside  from  the  pleasure  of  seeing  friends  and 
relatives,  few  visitors  went  away  without  feeling  amply  repaid  for 
any  discomforts  that  the  journey  may  have  caused  them.  Points 
of  special  interest  in  addition,  of  course,  to  Johnny's  or  Willie's 
or  Freddie's  own  particular  company  and  barracks,  were  the  en- 
trenched area,  the  gas  chamber  and  dugout  and  the  numerous 
bayonet  runs.  On  drill  days,  these  latter  were  objects  of  greatest 
interest  and  crowds  always  gathered  to  watch  the  practice  and 
often  consternation  was  visible  in  the  countenances  of  our  female 
friends  as  one  of  these  latter  saw  "mamma's  pet"  grasp  his  rifle  and, 
with  determination,  if  not  ferocity,  depicted  in  his  face,  rush  through 
the  maze  of  trenches,  scale  the  parapet,  climb  through  the  wire 
entanglements  and  with  a  howl  of  fiendish  rage  leap  from  the  last 
embankment  down  upon  an  inoffensive  sack  of  straw,  made  up  per- 
chance to  represent  a  German  foe,  transfix  the  latter  with  a  ferocious 
jab  of  the  terrible  bayonet  and  as  a  finale  to  the  gruesome  spectacle 
place  his  foot  upon  the  fallen  foe  and  triumphantly  withdraw  the 
"reeking"   {^)  blade. 

To  the  various  welfare  societies  and  to  the  patriotism  of  the 
ladies  of  New  Jersey  is  due  the  credit  for  the  many  attractions  that 
assisted  in  filling  the  long  winter  evenings  as  well  as  Sundays  and 
Wednesday  and  Saturday  afternoons.  Through  the  efforts  of  the 
different  women's  societies  of  New  Jersey,  soldiers  clubs  were  estab- 
lished on  all  sides  of  the  camp — "The  Haversack"  and  Woman's 
Suffrage  Club  in  Wrightstown,  "The  Farmhouse  Club"  and  the  St. 
Georges  Club  at  Pointville.  In  addition,  clubs  at  a  little  greater 
distance  from  Dix  were  established  in  Pemberton,  Mt.  Holly  and 
Trenton.  Through  the  agency  of  the  War  Department  Commission 
on  Training  Camp  Activities,  the  old  brick  hotel  in  Wrightstown 
was  taken  over  and  made  into  a  Simon-pure  soldiers  club  with  a 
committee  of  Doughboys  from  Camp  Dix  in  entire  charge.  How- 
ever, from  the  viewpoint  of  entertainment  and  recreation  for  the 
vast  number  of  men  of  the  Division,  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  K.  of  C. 
regimental  huts  located  in  the  different  sections  throughout  the 
camp,  provided  by  far  the  largest  part  of  all  the  work  done  by  wel- 


/t     T  //   j       ^-^ 


QJAJ^ 


Sketch  showing  the  Travels  of  78th  Division  Infantry  Regiments  Through  England 
and  France.      The  dotted  and   numbered  section   of  map   represents   France. 


Forming  the  Division  and  Early  Training  at  Camp  Dix       29 

fare  agencies.  Here  the  men  gathered  for  letter  writing  and  reading 
as  well  as  for  nightly  moving  pictures  and  other  forms  of  entertain- 
ment, both  local  and  professional  talent. 

Two  other  enterprises,  the  camp  library  under  the  auspices  of 
the  American  Library  Association,  and  the  Liberty  Theatre,  under 
control  of  the  War  Department  Commission  on  Training  Camp 
Activities,  and  it  is  thought  the  cycle  of  our  social  activities  is 
complete. 

With  our  own  theatre,  moving  picture  houses,  dance  halls, 
libraries,  hotels,  railroad  station,  post  office,  local  regimental  stores 
or  exchanges,  electric  light  and  telephone  systems,  newspaper,  taxi 
service,  and  numbered  streets  and  avenues,  to  say  nothing  of  our 
own  Military  Police  doing  duty  as  traffic  cops  at  crowded  centers. 
Camp  Dix,  during  the  winter  of  1917-18,  with  all  these  metropolitan 
perquisites  certainly  gave  the  impression  of  a  small  city  sufficient 
unto  itself  in  all  that  goes  to  make  up  the  usual  round  of  twentieth 
century  life. 

It  must  not  be  thought  that  the  winter  months  were  given 
over  to  gayety  alone.  If  one  has  gained  such  an  impression,  let  him 
but  ask  of  those  who  daily  went  out  to  work  upon  the  entrenched 
area,  of  those  of  the  Artillery  that  spent  so  many  cold  hours  on  the 
range,  of  those  of  the  Infantry  that  daily  made  the  long,  cold 
marches  out  to  and  back  from  the  infantry  ranges,  and  of  the  many 
hours  spent  on  the  range  "squeezing"  the  trigger  with  chilled  fingers 
and  trying  not  to  jerk  or  flinch.  In  spite  of  cold  weather,  and  lack 
of  men,  training  went  on  apace  except  for  the  recess  during  the 
holiday  season,  when  50  per  cent,  of  the  command  went  home  for 
Christmas  and  the  remainder  for  New  Years.  For  those  who 
remained  in  camp  on  Christmas  Day,  a  huge  community  tree  was 
provided.  All  welfare  organizations  participating,  the  Red  Cross 
furnishing  a  present  for  every  man  in  camp,  and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
providing  the  400  colored  bulbs  with  which  the  tree  was  decorated. 
On  Christmas  Eve,  with  all  soldiers  in  camp  gathered  at  its  base 
singing  Christmas  songs,  the  tree,  which  was  kept  illuminated  every 
night  of  the  holiday  season,  was  lighted  for  the  first  time.  As  the 
many  colored  lights  threw  their  cheerful  rays  upon  the  assemblage 
of  radiant  and  happy  faces,  the  scenes  of  war  and  carnage  indeed 
seemed  far  removed  and  naught  but  "Peace  on  Earth,  Good  Will  to 
Men"  to  reign  everywhere  throughout  the  World. 

In  February,  the  final  increment  of  the  first  draft  arrived  and 
training  work  was  speeded  up.  Additional  impetus  and  a  touch  of 
the  real  glamour  of  war  was  added,  at  this  time,  by  the  arrival  of 
that  grim,  steel-clad  monster  fresh  from  the  Western  Front — the 
English  tank  "Brittania."  Many  were  the  thrills  afforded  us,  from 
the  first  day  when  the  tank  turned  turtle  in  trying  to  scale  six  feet 
of  perpendicular  frozen  ice  and  snow-covered  sand  bank  just  north 


30  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

of  the  Hostess  House,  to  the  grand  finale  on  the  last  day  when  the 
Brittannia  majestically,  as  its  name  would  seem  to  imply,  ploughed 
its  way  through  one  of  the  many  farm  barns  on  the  reservation. 
On  successive  days  the  tank  strolled  through  the  heavy  forests  on 
the  hills  bordering  the  entrenched  area,  overturning  and  crushing 
twelve  inch  trees  in  its  wanderings,  to  the  immense  interest  of  the 
different  regiments  which  were  in  turn  given  permission  to  witness 
the  work. 

The  climax  came  on  the  last  day.  Not  far  from  Division 
Headquarters  was  one  of  the  many  suJbstantially-built  barns  with 
which  the  camp  was  dotted.  Permission  to  "attack"  this  barn  was 
sought  and  granted  and  on  the  afternoon  in  question  the  entire 
camp  turned  out.  Slowly  the  nose  of  the  tank  was  brought  against 
a  corner  of  the  barn,  where  resistance  would  be  the  greatest,  and 
halted.  Then  the  machinery  was  put  in  motion  and  to  the  accom- 
paniment of  cracking  beams  and  falling  timbers  the  great  engine 
disappeared  from  view  only  to  emerge  a  few  moments  later  at  the 
opposite  corner  of  the  building.  While  the  tank  was  grinding  its 
way  through  a  large  grey  squirrel  rushed  from  one  of  the  gabled 
ends,  disturbed  no  doubt  from  its  winter  sleep  by  the  cataclysm 
that  was  happening  to  its  home  and  by  a  sight  perhaps  of  the  huge 
fire-spouting  monster,  that  was  causing  the  commotion.  The  terri- 
fied little  animal  rushed  wildly  once  or  twice  back  and  forth  along 
the  ridge  pole  and  finally  launched  itself  off  into  space  in  one  grand 
effort  to  reach  safety  in  the  protecting  limbs  of  a  nearby  tree. 

Despite  the  contingents  that  came  in  February,  the  Division 
was  considerably  under  required  war  strength  and  when,  during 
the  latter  days  of  March  news  of  the  great  Hun  offensive  began  to 
reach  us,  none  of  the  units  of  the  command  had  much  more  than 
50  per  cent,  of  their  authorized  numbers.  At  this  time,  it  became 
evident  that  if  American  assistance  was  to  arrive  in  time,  that 
time  had  almost  struck  and  1918  must  see  a  great  Army  of  "Yanks" 
in  France.  Faced  with  this  necessity,  the  draft  machinery  was 
thrown  into  high  speed  and  with  the  first  week  in  April,  fresh  assign- 
ments began  to  arrive  in  such  numbers  that  by  the  middle  of  the 
month  all  units  were  well  over  strength,  and  the  process  of  eliminat- 
ing the  physically  unfit  was  begun.  At  this  time  also,  all  manner 
of  equipment  commenced  to  arrive  in  vast  quantities  and  Dame 
Rumor  began  to  get  busy.  It  was  a  certainty  now  that  no  whole- 
sale transfers  would  be  made  and  that  the  Lightning  Division  at 
last  had  that  personnel  with  which  it  would  embark  for  Europe. 
With  such  a  certainty  as  a  stimulus,  the  impetus  given  to  training 
was  almost  inconceivable.  The  results  of  the  long  hours,  spent  in 
schools  during  the  winter  were  manifest.  Men  arrived  today,  were 
classified,  examined,  immunized  for  typhoid  and  smallpox,  clothed 
and  equipped  tomorrow,  and  on  the  next  had  taken  their  places  in 


Forming  the  Division  and  Early  Training  at  Camp  Dix       31 

squads  where  they  were  to  remain  until  the  Grim  Reaper  began  to 
take  his  toll  in  front  of  Thiaucourt.  April  was  a  hectic  month  for 
Camp  Dix  and  training,  especially  target  practice,  and  equipping 
went  on  at  a  feverish  pace,  nor  did  the  persistent  rumor  of  imme- 
diate oversea  service  lag  behind  the  other  activities.  Every  day 
brought  forth  not  merely  one  but  a  great  galaxy  of  conflicting 
reports.  But  from  the  diverse  activities,  one  thing  was  certainly 
deduced  and  that  was  the  "Day"  was  not  far  distant  and  the  "H". 
hour  of  our  departure  was  about  to  strike. 

The  end  of  April  found  the  excitement  little,  if  any,  abated, 
and  when  on  the  6th  of  May  the  Advance  Party  of  officers  from  the 
Division  quietly  slipped  out  of  camp,  certainty  became  doubly 
sure.  Instead  of  now  being  a  matter  of  months  or  weeks,  the  wait- 
ing time  was  estimated  by  some  to  be  a  matter  of  days,  and  by  more 
optimistic  ones,  a  mere  matter  of  hours.  However,  days  came  and 
went,  the  issuing  of  equipment  and  the  packing  and  marking  of 
boxes  continued  and  "D"  day  was  not  yet.  Then  at  last  the  "Secret 
and  Confidential"  orders  went  out  that  we  had  been  placed  under 
the  orders  of  the  Commanding  General,  Port  of  Embarkation, 
Hoboken,  and  all  knew  that  the  long  period  of  waiting  was  at  an 
end.  The  long  weary  months  of  training  on  this  side  were  a  thing 
of  the  past.  At  last,  with  all  the  adventurous  spirit  of  youth  we 
were  about  to  embark  upon  the  Great  Adventure.  On  Friday, 
May  17th,  all  conjecture  was  set  aside,  all  drills  had  ceased,  and  on 
this  date  Camp  Dix  was  closed  to  visitors,  a  necessary  procedure 
lest  any  information  of  our  time  and  place  of  sailing  might  find  its 
way  into  unworthy  hands.  In  order  to  keep  as  many  people  as 
possible  away  on  the  last  days,  no  tickets  were  sold  by  railroads 
leading  into  Camp  Dix.  Did  this  keep  grieved  and  tearful  friends 
and  relatives  away.^  Ask  any  one  of  the  many  people  who  remem- 
ber Wrightstown  and  the  environs  of  Camp  Dix  on  Saturday  and 
Sunday,  the  18th  and  19th  of  May;  tickets  to  Dix  were  not  avail- 
able— no,  but  tickets  to  Trenton  and  neighboring  towns  were,  and 
then  there  was  the  ubiquitous  automobile.  On  these  two  days, 
none  entered  Camp  Dix,  and  except  on  official  business  none 
departed.  On  Sunday,  the  scenes  in  Wrightstown  were  almost 
indescribable  with  the  frantic  relatives  come  for  one  last,  long 
farewell  and  unable  to  get  into  camp.  During  the  18th  and  19th, 
companies  and  battalions  were  quietly  slipping  out  of  camp,  some  to 
Boston,  some  to  New  York,  some  to  Philadelphia,  where  they 
embarked,  most  of  the  transports  to  rendezvous  later  at  Halifax 
before  the  last  leg  of  the  journey  over  was  begun.  In  the  wee  small 
hours  of  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  May,  Headquarters  Troop  and 
Division  Headquarters  entrained  for  Philadelphia,  and  the  78th 
Division  was  on  its  way  to  add  its  strength  to  that  ever  increasing 
band  of  crusaders,  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 


32  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

We  had  come  together  at  Camp  Dix  from  the  four  corners  of 
the  country,  we  had  trained  at  Camp  Dix,  we  had  grown  to  love  it 
as  our  home,  and  now  it  was  to  know  us  no  more  until  that  time  one 
year  hence,  when,  with  our  work  accomplished  and  our  destiny 
fulfilled,  we  should  return  to  the  place  of  our  birth,  filled  with  the 
consciousness  that  we  had  successfully  carried  out  our  mission  and 
that  those  long  months  of  training  had  not  been  in  vain. 


CHAPTER  II. 


ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  AND  TRAINING  WITH  BRITISH. 


HE  LAST  few  days  in  Dix  will  live  long  in  the  memory 
of  all.  "Secret  and  Confidential"  orders,  to  be  complied 
with  immediately,  showered  upon  the  various  Head- 
quarters; there  was  a  mad  scramble  to  outfit  the  last 
draft  details  who  were  reporting  from  other  camps;  the 
transfer  to  the  Depot  Brigade  of  men  unfit  for  overseas 
duty,  helped  the  confusion;  and  the  making  out  of 
alphabetical  Embarkation  Lists  (in  nine  copies,  all 
"caps")  kept  the  company  and  detachment  clerks  from 
obtaining  any  needless  sleep.  The  various  changes  rung 
on  the  marking  of  Identification  Tags;  the  midnight  roll-calls;  the 
baggage  lists,  and  the  continual  check  of  equipment;  the  last  minute 
inspections — the  "jam"  of  these  proved  a  nightmare  for  all.  It 
seemed  utterly  impossible  to  comply  with  all  the  regulations 
imposed,  and  yet  turn  over  the  areas  in  fit  condition  and  on  schedule. 
But  the  job  was  done. 

Very  quietly  the  Division  melted  out  of  Camp  Dix,  and  drew 
away  in  separate  detachments  for  the  embarkation  points — some 
to  Boston,  some  to  New  York,  and  some  to  Philadelphia — where  a 
curious  assortment  of  transports  awaited  our  coming. 

Of  course  there  was  more  confusion.  The  new  army  was 
unacquainted  with  "below  decks"  and  the  idiosyncrasies  of  slung 
hammocks,  and  the  messing  arrangements.  What  to  do  with 
equipment  threatened  to  become  a  serious  problem;  but  like  so 
many  other  emergencies,  the  actual  accomplishment  proved  more 
simple  than  the  anticipation,  and  within  a  few  days,  namely.  May 
23rd  to  27th,  the  seventeen  transports  which  were  to  be  included  in 
our  convoy,  had  assembled  in  Halifax  Harbor,  laden  with  troops, 
awaiting  orders  to  steam  away  on  their  long  hazardous  journey 
together.  Not  all  of  the  transports  carrying  parts  of  the  Division 
were  assembled  at  Halifax.  Some  of  the  faster  ones  sailed  direct 
from  the  port  of  embarkation  to  England  without  naval  escort. 
Many  of  the  men  had  their  first  glimpse  of  the  horrors  of  war 
while  the  ships  were  at  anchor  in  Halifax  Harbor.  The  shore  line 
for  nearly  a  mile,  from  water  edge  to  the  top  of  the  hills  in  back  of 
the  city,  were  blackened  ruins,  due  to  a  fearful  explosion  which 
occurred  a  few  weeks  prior  to  our  arrival,  caused  by  a  hospital 
ship,   which  could   be  observed  partly  submerged  close  to  shore, 


n 


.5    rt 

1-1  _o 


^?2 


^    a    - 

^     fl  ^ 
Eh  ^O 

a  "g  b 

P3-3 


^- 


On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British  35 

having  rammed  a  steamer  laden  with  munitions  of  war. 

By  this  time  we  had  become  accustomed  to  our  ships,  accus- 
tomed to  the  fact  that  we  had  a  week's  pohce  ahead  of  us  to  make 
them  habitable,  and  the  majority  of  us  were  even  acquiring  a 
certain  amount  of  sea-legs  and  could  joke  about  the  condition  of  our 
less  fortunate  companions. 

As  suddenly  as  we  had  been  assembled,  the  ships  early  one 
morning  pulled  anchor  and  drew  out  to  sea  and  there  began  the 
long,  slow  voyage  across  the  Atlantic.  New  regulations  came 
thick  and  fast.  No  smoking  at  night;  no  lights  at  night;  nothing 
to  be  thrown  overboard;  assorted  fire  and  boat  station  drills;  and 
for  the  various  headquarters  clerks,  an  impressive  series  of  alpha- 
betical lists  and  reports  which  served  to  keep  the  typewriters  clogged 
as  usual.  Censorship  was  established,  and  the  viewpoint  of  the 
army  in  general  on  the  conduct  of  the  war,  the  activities  of  the 
division,  the  opinion  of  the  officers  was  learned  at  first  hand;  until 
the  restrictions  of  the  censorship  became  known  and  we  found  that 
our  correspondence  from  then  on  was  to  be  limited  to  the  weather 
and  the  fact  that  we  were  well. 

Within  a  few  days  the  men  were  becoming  restless  and  light 
drills  and  calisthenics  were  instituted — more  for  the  purpose  of 
passing  the  time  than  for  the  actual  physical  good  that  could  be 
gained  on  a  rolling  deck  and  a  rolling  stomach. 

Where  we  were;  where  we  were  going;  how  long  it  would  take — 
of  all  these  we  knew  nothing.  We  were  cut  off  absolutely  from 
contact  with  the  world  and  the  war,  because  the  use  of  our  wireless 
was  forbidden,  and  such  information  as  might  have  been  gathered 
from  the  radio  was  kept  secret.     We  were  "on  our  way!" 

The  interest  of  all  hands  was  keyed  up  when,  on  May  31st, 
the  convoy  was  met  by  a  flotilla  of  our  Allied  destroyers  and  "sub" 
chasers;  these  assured  us  that  we  must  be  approaching  some  coast 
and  our  curiosity  became  keener  for  the  sight  of  the  "subs"  regard- 
ing whose  activities  the  ships'  officers  and  crews  had  taken  pains  to 
cheer  our  evenings.  x\lready  we  had  been  warned  that  we  were  in 
the  "Danger  Zone,"  and  guards  were  almost  over-instructed  to 
judge  by  the  innumerable  phantom  "subs"  reported,  but  the  activity 
was  well  repaid. 

In  late  afternoon  of  June  2nd,  the  S.  S.  "Beltana,"  which  car- 
ried the  310th  Infantry,  less  3rd  Batallion  and  the  Machine  Gun 
Company,  suddenly  put  her  helm  "hard-a-starboard."  By  a 
margin  of  200  yards,  she  just  succeeded  in  missing  an  inquisitive 
sub  whose  periscope  had  cut  the  water  dead  ahead.  Instantly,  the 
two  Allied  torpedo  boats  pirouetted  and  the  ship  shuddered  under 
the  impact  of  the  depth  bombs  they  dropped  in  chase  of  the  Boche. 
Three  hundred  yards  to  our  rear,  a  huge  fountain  of  black  water 
mounted  up  like  a  Yellowstone  Geyser,  and  those  whose  eyes  hap- 


Ph  -5 


n 


On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British  37 

pened  to  be  fixed  on  the  spot,  saw  the  bow  of  the  "sub"  lurch  up  and 
slide  back  out  of  sight.  Occasionally  thereafter,  the  long,  lean 
arrows  on  the  bridges  of  the  torpedo  boat  destroyers  would  swing 
suddenly  and  there  would  be  a  rush  to  spot  the  location  of  the  "sub'* 
to  which  they  were  pointing.  Between  5  P.  M.  and  7  P.  M.,  some 
forty  depth  bombs  were  exploded,  every  ship  in  the  convoy  feeling 
the  effects  of  each  explosion,  but  we  carried  on  to  our  destination, 
which  we  now  knew  was  England. 

Glorious  weather  greeted  our  arrival  on  European  shores, 
during  the  first  week  of  June,  1918.  The  Infantry  Regiments  and 
Division  Headquarters  landed  in  England  and  assembled  at  Folk- 
stone.  The  Artillery  Regiments  crossed  the  English  Channel  and 
landed  on  French  soil  at  the  Port  of  Le  Havre,  and  then  proceeded 
to  Camp  de  Meucon,  near  the  City  of  Vannes,  in  the  Department  of 
Morbihan,  where  for  eight  weeks  they  were  introduced  to  all  the 
intricacies  of  the  famous  ^'^Soixante  Quinze"  (French  15  Mm.  Guns) 
and  other  artillery  pieces  and  their  technique. 

With  the  first  week  in  June,  the  Division  (less  Artillery)  was 
passing  through  England — some  of  the  units  via  Southampton,  some 
via  London,  and  others  via  Liverpool;  all  enroute  for  Folkstone  and 
thence  to  Calais.  The  few  days  gave  us  an  insight  into  British 
customs  and  exchange,  and  what  was  far  more  important,  relieved 
us  of  our  "sea-legs."  To  the  majority  of  us  who  had  never  been  in 
England,  the  country  seemed  almost  miniature — houses  and  railway 
equipment  especially  appearing  as  if  the  product  of  some  giant's 
toyshop. 

The  country  outside  the  play  villages  through  which  we 
passed,  was  a  joy  to  look  at,  after  the  sand  of  Camp  Dix.  We 
seemed  more  like  visitors  on  a  Cook's  tour,  bound  on  a  sight-seeing 
trip — ^for  there  was  nothing  visible  of  war.  True,  there  were  few 
men  to  be  seen,  but  their  absence  was  nowhere  near  as  striking  as 
we  were  to  see  later  in  France. 

Folkstone  proved  a  second  Atlantic  City;  and  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  faint  thunder  of  the  guns  across  the  straits  and  our 
occasional  formations,  the  Boche  might  still  have  been  3,000  miles 
away  and  New  York  available  for  another  week-end  pass.  The 
little  there  was  to  do,  we  enjoyed  to  the  full.  We  were  in  for  a 
"rest,"  and  we  took  our  leisure  like  gentlemen  until  it  should  please 
the  British  to  send  us  on  our  way  across  the  channel  to  France. 

Orders  came  suddenly,  directing  the  movements  of  the 
elements  of  the  Division.  Under  secret  instructions,  units  moved 
to  assigned  landing  points  and  there  embarked  under  the  surveil- 
lance of  French  and  British  destroyers.  The  run  across  the  straits 
was  accomplished  without  casualties,  or  even  the  excitement  of 
depth  bombs  or  sinking  German  subs,  and  we  landed  at  Calais, 


On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British  39 

where  we  were  quartered  in  "Rest?  Camps,"  No.  6  East  and  No. 
6  West. 

Here  we  came  under  the  supervisory  control  of  the  British 
and  we  found  them  remarkably  easy  to  co-operate  with.  They 
had  eliminated  paperwork  to  an  extraordinary  degree,  and  within 
a  few  days  time  we  had  disposed  of  our  barracks  bags,  changed  our 
American  rifles  for  British  Enfields  and  "gone  through  gas."  Back 
in  Dix  we  had  accustomed  ourselves  to  the  necessity  of  many  para- 
graphed orders,  and  it  was  at  first  startling  to  see  the  ease  with 
which  the  British  led  us  about  in  charge  of  guides  acting  under 
verbal  orders.  Yet  mistakes  were  unknown;  each  guide  had  his 
instructions  and  so  complicated  a  matter  as  the  turning  in  of  salvage 
was  completed  by  the  units  each  in  a  half  day's  time. 

Certainly  our  supply  officers  must  have  shed  many  a  bitter 
tear  as  they  saw  the  huge  piles  of  shoes,  blankets,  overcoats  and 
socks  from  which  we  were  relieved.  Compliance  with  War  Depart- 
ment orders  in  the  States  had  equipped  each  soldier  with  sufficient 
clothing,  etc.,  for  a  winter's  campaign.  Packs  were  now  of  a  normal 
size — but  were  we  ever  again  to  see  what  we  had  considered  our  own 
outfit.'^  We  were  told  it  was  slated  for  storage  and  that  "later  on" 
our  barracks  bags  would  be  returned  with  our  personal  belongings 
intact. 

The  Rest  Camps  themselves  reminded  us  largely  of  Dix. 
There  was  the  same  sand,  and  the  same  consequent  difficulty  in 
keeping  the  rifles  clean.  The  food  had  a  different  flavor,  but  was 
still  of  the  "army"  variety. 

Calais  showed  signs  of  the  nearness  of  war.  There  was 
frequent  evidence  of  bombing  and  "abris"  were  everywhere  avail- 
able. Both  the  British  and  French  were  using  the  port  for  the 
forwarding  of  supplies  and  consequently  the  Boche  made  a  point 
of  air-raiding  the  city  at  frequent  intervals.  Actual  damage  was 
slight  except  to  an  occasional  house,  but  the  effect  (as  the  Boche 
intended)  was  to  keep  the  nerves  of  the  populace  on  edge.  The 
soldiers,  however,  French,  American,  Canadian,  and  Australian, 
took  the  raids  as  larks,  and  keenly  enjoyed  the  work  of  the  anti- 
aircraft guns. 

As  suddenly  as  we  had  been  moved  from  England,  we  were 
now  moved  into  what  was  to  become  our  Training  Area,  centered 
about  Nielles-Les-Blequin,  back  of  Ypres,  with  the  Second  British 
Army.  Here  the  Division  found  itself  in  a  beautiful  rollng  country, 
all  under  cultivation  and  absolutely  untouched  by  war.  A  more 
perfect  or  more  ideal  location  could  not  have  existed.  There  was 
available  for  each  of  the  units,  suitable  drill  fields  where  intensive 
instruction  now  became  the  order  of  the  day.  Training  cadres  of  the 
Northumberland  Fusileers,  the  14th  Highland  Infantry,  and  the 
15th  Royal  Scots  took  over  the  work  of  coaching  us  in  our  training 


40  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

and  because  these  famous  British  Regiments  had  been  through  the 
earher  years  of  the  war,  we  drank  in  eagerly  all  they  had  to  give  us. 

In  the  infantry  regiments,  the  men  were  broken  up  into  small 
groups,  each  under  an  N.  C.  O.  or  private,  and  vigorously  instructed 
in  British  methods  and  manual.  We  had  British  arms,  British 
ammunition,  British  gas  masks,  and  were  gradually  acquiring 
British  equipment.  On  every  hand  there  seemed  ample  evidence 
that  our  future  activities  were  to  be  in  the  British  sectors  only  a 
short  distance  north. 

Officers  and  men  eagerly  absorbed  the  instruction.  Of  course 
the  training  cadres  apportioned  to  the  division  were  insufficient  to 
discriminate  between  ranks  as  to  instructor  and  the  instructed,  but 
there  was  no  thought  of  the  incongruity  of  the  situation.  Our 
training  in  the  British  area  was  carried  out  in,  accordance  with  sched- 
ules prescribed  by  our  own  General  Headquarters,  and  all  functions 
of  command  were  exercised  by  us,  the  British  merely  acting  as 
general  advisors  and  instructors. 

In  addition  to  the  instructions  given  on  the  drill  fields,  details 
of  officers  and  men  were  constantly  called  for  special  training  among 
the  British  and  American  Schools  already  established.  Each 
branch  and  arm  of  service  must  develop  its  specialists,  and  to  that 
end  the  officers  and  men  studied  every  aspect  of  militarism — from 
the  elementary  map  reading  classes  on  up  to  the  General  Staff  College 
at  Langres.  There  were  schools  in  Musketry,  schools  in  Lewis 
Gun,  and  schools  in  Rifle  and  Hand  Grenade;  there  was  our  own  1st 
Corps  Schools  at  Gondrecourt,  and  the  British  Machine  Gun  School 
at  Cernois;  there  were  schools  for  Cooking,  schools  for  Gas  Defense; 
and  schools  for  the  use  of  British  rations. 

The  latter,  in  fact,  became  a  necessity.  In  the  British  issue, 
there  was  a  preponderance  of  tea,  jam,  and  cheese  on  which  the 
English  soldiers  seemed  to  thrive  in  a  thorough  manner.  But  our 
men  were  accustomed  to  the  meat  and  vegetable  diet  of  Camp  Dix 
days,  and  looked  on  these  rations  as  luxuries  and  not  as  substantial 
food.  Fortunately,  we  were  eventually  able  to  secure  additional 
issues  to  meet  American  appetities,  and  the  tea  was  eliminated 
except  when  visiting  with  the  British. 

Training  proceeded  with  splendid  spirit. 

We  were  close  enough  to  the  war  to  bring  home  to  all  that  we 
were  at  last  actually  a  part  of  the  Allies,  preparing  to  do  our  share, 
although  our  exact  purpose  in  that  particular  area  was  shrouded  in 
the  usual  mystery.  In  a  general  sense,  we  were  acting  as  a  reserve 
division  for  the  British,  and  it  was  "understood"  that  we  might  be 
used  to  help  stop  any  drive  that  would  be  made  by  the  Boche. 

British  detachments  were  constantly  moving  forward  and 
back  through  the  area;  and  the  nearness  of  the  war  was  further 
brought  home  to  us  by  the  fact  that  our  officers  and  men  were 


«• , '  «i.<.r  1..  t.^i>^jMfc.ji.»  j^i^tyjJMMwiMiJMB 

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Instruction  under  British  N.C.O.'s 


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Machine  Gun  Company  training  at  BOURSIN 


42  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

being  regularly  sent  forward  on  special  four-day  tours  of  the  front 
line,  to  observe  the  methods  of  fighting  and  to  accustom  them  to 
trench  procedure.  The  trips  were  excellent  for  the  morale  of  all, 
as  it  intensified  the  necessity  for  careful  drilling  in  the  essentials 
the  British  were  working  so  strenuously  to  inculcate  in  us.  Officers 
and  men  alike  actually  worked  with  the  British  troops  on  these 
occasions,  occupying  the  trenches,  undergoing  the  usual  shell-fire, 
and  being  fortunate  enough  to  take  part  in  some  of  the  raids  pulled 
off. 

Casualties  were  limited  to  very  few — Corporal  Smith  of  the  310th 
Infantry  being  killed,  and  Major  Abernathy  and  Major  Gossman 
suffering  wounds  from  which  they  both  later  recovered;  but  the 
practical  experience  gained  through  these  tours  was  of  inestimable 
value  to  the  division. 

For  the  first  time  since  being  overseas,  the  Division  was 
receiving  mail;  we  had  assimilated  the  various  regulations  on  censor- 
ship and  the  scattered  headquarters  were  snowed-in,  under  the 
pent-up  effusions  of  the  average  American  far  from  home.  The 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  also  was  beginning  to  show  interest  in  our  welfare — 
and  in  general,  the  division  was  settling  down  to  the  business  in 
hand — of  preparing  for  whatever  part  we  were  to  undertake  as  our 
share  of  the  war. 

As  part  of  the  regular  training  schedules,  terrain  and  liaison 
exercises  by  regiments,  brigades  and  division  were  held,  where  open 
warfare  conditions  were  simulated.  The  work  entailed  con- 
siderable marching  for  some  of  the  infantry,  and  the  309th  Infantry 
especially  seemed  fated  for  "hikes"  that  might  have  hardened  them 
for  another  march  to  the  sea.  The  exercises  were  invariably  under 
the  guidance  of  umpires  who  arrived  at  unexpected  moments,  and 
took  a  keen  delight  in  assuming  sudden  situations  that  tried  the 
skill  and  quickness  of  the  various  commanders.  A  touch  of  realism 
was  added  one  day  when  an  actual  Boche  plane  dropped  down  in 
the  "sector"  of  the  309th  Infantry,  and  Division  Headquarter' s 
was  treated  to  a  laugh  when  the  message  added:  ''This  is  not 
imaginary.''' 

Target  practice  was  continuing  regularly,  including  the  long 
ranges,  which  necessitated  extensions  of  the  existing  target  ranges 
and  construction  of  new  ones,  and  because  ammunition  was  plen- 
tiful the  men  were  rapidly  improving  the  ability  to  shoot  straight  and 
accurately.  There  were  occasional  inspections  and  reviews  for 
General  Pershing,  and  General  Sir  Douglas  Haig,  and  also  for  the 
Duke  of  Connaught,  at  which  we  carried  our  colors,  much  to  the 
amusement  of  the  visiting  British  officers. 

We  were  learning  a  new  vocabulary.  By  now  we  had  accus- 
tomed ourselves  to  "indents  on  Supply,"  and  "D.  A.  D.  O.  S."  and 
"A.  A.  Q.  M.  G.,"  and  the  "D.  D.  I.  W.  T.,"  chits  were  a  matter 


On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British  43 

of  every  day  occurence,  and  it  became  a  simple  matter  to  "demand 
on"  the  S.  O.  for  whatever  we  imagined  we  needed.  Even  our 
higher  organizations  had  been  divided  into  the  obscure  "G's," 
which  trained  us,  fed  and  clothed  us;  armed  and  forearmed  us,  and 
planned  our  actions. 

Our  transport  was  entirely  British  in  every  detail,  and  the 
N.  C.  O.'s  who  delivered  the  limbers,  etc.,  to  us  remained  long 
enough  to  inculcate  the  valuable  lesson  of  taking  care  of  the  equip- 
ment. Our  supply  companies,  almost  doubled  in  size,  were  now 
divided  into  ''Transport''  and  ''Supply."  We  had  established 
proper  "dumps"  for  the  necessary  distribution  of  food  and  equip- 
ment, and  were  learning  the  meaning  of  "salvage." 

There  was  nothing  that  we  did  not  learn  to  "salvage;"  grease 
drippings,  horseshoes,  broken  belts  and  cartridge  clips — everything 
was  "salvageable."  The  officers,  too,  profited  by  the  edicts  and 
with  a  feeling  of  mingled  joy  and  sorrow  packed  up  their  white 
shirts  and  separate  cuffs,  their  bath-tubs  and  water  buckets,  camp 
chairs  and  cots,  and  consigned  them  to  the  care  of  Messrs.  Cox 
&  Co.,  who  claimed  to  be  able  to  take  care  of  them  for  a  "nominal" 
sum.  Just  how  nominal  this  sum  was,  we  were  not  to  learn  until 
months  later  when  we  attempted  to  clear  our  luggage.  But  that 
is  another  story. 

Just  to  the  west  of  us  lay  Boulogne-sur-Mer,  and  as  our  train 
touched  its  outskirts  on  our  way  into  the  area  the  town  impressed 
a  number  with  its  desirability.  Consequently,  it  was  small  wonder 
that  passes  were  demanded  on  account  of  "urgent  business"  at 
Boulogne.  Of  course  there  was  no  means  available  for  transport, 
but  the  Supply  Trains  made  regular  trips. 

On  July  Fourth,  the  Engineer  Regiment  and  the  Pioneer 
Platoons  from  the  infantry  regiments  were  sent  forward  into  the 
British  Reserve  Lines  in  the  vicinity  of  Oudezeele.  Here  the  men 
worked  on  the  organization  of  the  line  between  Verdrel  and  the 
Bois  d'Olhain,  and  it  was  understood  that  the  division  would  shortly 
occupy  the  sector.  In  fact  orders  had  actually  issued,  and  the 
several  unit  commanders  concerned  had  completed  their  recon- 
naissances when  instructions  were  received  directing  a  move  south- 
ward. 

Our  move  was  to  the  St.  Pol  Area,  back  of  Arras,  and  was 
made  in  view  of  the  altered  strategic  situation  affecting  the  Allies 
in  our  immediate  front.  Here  we  were  attached  to  the  First  British 
Army,  and  our  training  continued,  still  under  the  supervision  of 
cadres  assigned  to  the  Division.  To  our  previous  work  was  added 
range  practice  with  automatic  rifles  and  machine  guns. 

Our  new  area  was  what  was  known  as  a  "staging  area"  and 
was  nowhere  near  so  delightful  as  that  we  had  just  left,  but  appar- 
ently far  more  active.     Day  and  night  along  the  Arras  front,  the 


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On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British  45 

heavy  guns  boomed  and  we  were  constantly  treated  to  air  fights 
between  the  observation  balloons  which  fringed  the  horizon  and 
the  alert  Boche  planes. 

At  all  times  we  were  under  the  surveillance  of  Boche  and 
Allied  planes — the  Boche  usually  striving  to  keep  in  touch  with  all 
movements,  and  the  Allies  as  determined  that  he  should  learn 
nothing  of  value.  The  result  was  a  frequent  series  of  combats,  both 
night  and  day.  Moonlight  evenings  were  invariably  chosen  for 
bombing  parties,  and  the  adjacent  air  squadrons  were  constantly 
on  the  qui  vive  for  the  droning  sing-song  of  the  German  motors. 
The  railhead  at  Tincques  received  considerable  attention  on  such 
nights,  and  on  two  occasions.  Division  Headquarters  at  Roellecourt 
was  selected  for  a  target.  Fortunately  the  damage — except  to  the 
landscape,  was  slight;  the  nearest  approach  to  a  direct  hit  being  the 
partial  demolishment  of  the  gate  to  the  chateau. 

On  August  8th,  King  George  of  England  made  a  visit  to  the 
Division.  Elsie  Janis  also  "inspected"  us  later  on,  and  treated  us 
to  the  refreshing  sight  of  an  American  woman  again.  She  was 
one  of  the  very  few  theatrical  stars  who  went  abroad  to  entertain 
our  troops.  Despite  a  pouring  rain,  the  men  stood  and  listened 
eagerly  to  "Today  is  Monday"  and  "Over  Here,"  and  then  marched 
cheerfully  back  to  their  billets,  satisfied  that  it  was  a  good  war. 

As  part  of  the  divisional  training,  the  156th  Brigade  occupied 
a  reserve  position  on  what  was  known  as  the  "G.  H.  Q.  Line," 
beginning  on  August  5th.  The  heavy  rains,  pitch  dark  nights,  and 
muddy  trenches  proved  admirable  experience  for  what  the  78th 
was  later  to  encounter  in  the  St.  Mihiel  and  the  Argonne,  although 
at  that  time  nothing  was  of  course  known  of  our  future  movements. 
In  fact  the  general  impression  seemed  to  be  that  we  were  to  be 
brigaded  with  the  British  troops — if  not  actually  absorbed  by  them 
as  replacements — and  our  one  fear  was  the  possibility  of  losing  our 
American  identity.  We  knew  that  American  forces  had  been  in 
action,  but  we  knew  also  the  crying  need  of  the  British  for  replace- 
ments and  the  agitation  then  going  on  for  their  use  of  the  Americans. 

For  four  years  the  British  had  been  stopping  the  gap  between 
the  French  and  the  Channel  ports.  During  that  time  they  had 
successfully  opposed  numerous  German  smashes  against  that  line 
and  their  men  were  carrying  on  their  share  of  the  war  with  extra- 
ordinary cheerfulness,  considering  the  colossal  nature  of  their  work — 
and  the  fact  that  additional  trained  forces  were  unavailable — 
simply  because  they  no  longer  existed.  Under  the  circumstances, 
it  was  small  wonder  that  the  British  High  Command  were  demand- 
ing the  infusion  of  new  blood,  and  naturally  looked  to  the  Amer- 
icans. 

On  August  17th  and  18th,  the  155th  Brigade  moved  south  of 
St.  Pol  into  the  area  vacated  by  the  156th  Brigade,  in  order  to  make 


2  ^ 


w  a 


.r  fe 


w  §  .a 

-    fe    a 


On  the  High  Seas  and  Training  with  British  47 

room  for  a  British  Division  which  was  assigned  to  occupy  the 
Chelers  Area;  and  four  days  later  the  Division  started  for  the 
American  Sector — ^final  assurance  that  our  American  identity  would 
not  be  lost,  and,  what  interested  the  enlisted  men  most,  that  we 
would  once  more  be  on  our  own  rations. 

To  the  British  the  Division  was  indebted  for  practical  training 
which  was  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  us,  and  we  left  them  with  a 
feeling  of  deep  appreciation  of  their  courtesy  and  fighting  ability, 
and  of  their  splendid  spirit  of  co-operation  and  comradeship. 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE  ST.  MIHIEL  OFFENSIVE 


'HE  1ST  ARMY  (IT.  S.)  will  reduce  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient." 
Such  was  the  inspiring  opening  of  the  order  which  sent 
the  78th  Division  from  its  incompleted  training  to  act  as 
the  First  Corps  Reserve  in  the  great  attack  of  September 
12,  1918.  This  order  found  the  Division  encamped  around 
the  town  of  Chatenois,  about  twenty  kilometers  east  of 
Neuf chateau.  The  order  reached  division  headquarters 
September  8th,  and  gave  the  key  to  the  wanderings  of  the 
division  since  it  had  arrived  in  the  American  sector  in  the 
latter  part  of  August. 

Those  units  of  the  division  which  had  been  in  the  British 
sector  left  there  in  high  glee  at  the  thought  of  going  to  the  American 
area  where  imagination  pictured  things  as  incomparably  better 
than  in  Flanders.  The  train  ride  in  "Hommes  40-Cheveaux  8" 
cars  took  about  two  days,  in  which  some  of  the  trains  had  a  glimpse 
of  Paris  and  of  the  Marne  battlefield.  The  Marne  itself  was  still 
littered  with  the  wreckage  of  German  pontoon  bridges  and  the  hills 
and  river  bottom  of  the  valley  were  pitted  with  shell  craters,  fox 
holes  and  machine  gun  nests,  while  there  was  wire  everywhere. 
The  villages  along  the  road  had  been  badly  pounded  and  there  were 
many  queer  freaks  of  shell-fire  all  the  way  from  Chateau  Thierry  to 
Epernay.  The  saddest  sight  of  all  was  an  occasional  cross  with  a 
helmet  hung  on  top  and  the  inscription  "Soldat  Americain  Inconnu." 
The  division  detrained  after  passing  through  Langres  and 
Chaumont  in  the  general  area  of  Bourbonne-les-Bains,  which  was 
to  be  division  headquarters.  A  long  day's  march  was  necessary  for 
some  units  from  the  detraining  point  to  the  new  billeting  area,  but 
the  weather  was  excellent  and  the  attitude  of  the  French  people, 
unworn  by  four  years  contact  with  troops  of  all  nations  was  a  very 
pleasing  contrast  to  that  of  the  war-weary,  over-worked  people  of 
Flanders.  The  few  days  which  the  division  spent  in  the  Bourbonne 
area  were  occupied  in  resting  up  from  the  journey,  issuing  American 
equipment  and  preparing  for  terrain  exercises  under  the  direction 
of  the  6th  Corps  Staff,  to  which  the  division  was  now  attached, 
but  which  were  never  held  because  of  sudden  orders  to  move.  The 
first  stage  of  the  move  towards  the  front  brought  the  division  to  the 
area  around  Bourmont,  an  interesting  little  town  built  on  the  top  of 
an  abrupt  cliff  rising  from  the  Meuse  River,  crowned  by  a  medieval 


B 


o    C 

i  tt 

2.^ 


50  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

monastery  whose  rounded  terraces  showed  the  tremendous  labor 
which  the  old  monks  were  willing  to  perform  in  order  to  get  a  patch 
of  ground  about  ten  feet  wide.  For  those  who  had  a  chance  to  prowl 
around,  it  was  interesting  to  see  the  caves  through  which  Caesar's 
Legionaries  had  crept  one  night  in  order  to  attack  the  Gauls  on  the 
top  of  the  hill  and  capture  them  by  surprise,  but  it  was  undoubtedly 
more  satisfying  if  the  prowling  extended  as  far  as  the  sales-com- 
missary, where  "boo  koo"  cigarettes  and  chocolates  could  be  had — 
the  first  candy  since  landing  in  France,  except  for  an  insignificant 
supply  at  Bourbonne.  While  at  Bourmont,  orders  were  received 
transferring  the  division  to  the  1st  Army  Corps  and  ordering  a 
move  under  cover  of  darkness  to  the  area  around  Chatenois.  This 
move  was  completed  about  September  6th. 

It  is  thus  clear  there  had  been  more  marching  than  training 
since  reaching  this  beautiful  section  of  old  Burgundy  and  the 
weather  had  as  a  whole  been  delightful.  Now  once  more  the  order 
went  out  to  salvage  excess  equipment  and  baggage,  and  as  usual  a 
big  pile  of  hitherto  "indispensible"  articles  was  left  behind  at 
Chatenois,  where  many  a  regretful  doughboy  could  have  been  seen 
picking  up  some  article  which  he  thought  he  would  like  to  carry 
along,  only  to  drop  it  in  order  to  pick  up  something  else  and  finally 
throw  it  all  away  because  it  was  too  heavy  to  carry  on  his  back. 
While  at  Bourbonne,  the  division  Supply  Train,  which  had  been 
"lost"  somewhere  in  southwestern  France  rejoined  the  division  and 
caught  up  with  about  a  dozen  sacks  of  mail  which  had  been  playing 
hide  and  seek  with  them  for  the  past  two  months. 

All  horse  transport  of  the  division  set  out  after  dark  on  the 
8th  of  September  for  a  four  nights'  march,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Battle.  Foot  troops  then  enjoyed  a  rare  thing — an  extra 
day  and  a  half  of  comparative  rest.  Division  Headquarters  mean- 
while was  wrestling  with  the  French  method  of  preparing  to  move 
troops  by  motor  trucks.  Although  we  had  used  the  simple  and 
efficient  British  system  of  "lorry"  movement,  the  methods  of  the 
"C.  R.  A."  (Commission  Regulatrice  d'Automobile)  were  no  more 
to  be  changed  than  the  laws  of  the  Medes  and  Persians,  as  the 
French  method,  with  its  apparent  confusion  and  wealth  of  ges- 
ticulations and  talk  was  ordered,  and  with  ever  increasing  disregard 
of  the  time  schedule,  the  rest  of  the  infantry  and  machine  gunners 
were  packed  into  French  trucks,  driven  by  little  Billiken  drivers 
from  Annam  and  rolled  off  during  the  afternoon  of  September  10th. 

The  Artillery  Brigade  had  already  moved  from  Camp  de 
Meucon,  near  Vannes  in  Brittany,  to  the  St.  Mihiel  region  and  had 
gone  into  action  in  support  of  the  90th  Division  between  Pont-a- 
Mousson  and  Fey-en-Haye  on  August  26th. 

The  movement  north  along  the  main  highway  through  the 
fortress  of  Toul,  with  ever  increasing  strictness  in  regard    to    the 


a 
> 

n 
o 

H 
a- 


52  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

prohibition  of  lights  (despite  the  fact  that  it  was  raining  half  the 
time)  and  with  occasional  jams  and  accidents,  made  more  exasper- 
ating or  ludicrous  by  the  fact  that  neither  drivers  nor  passengers 
could  understand  each  other,  lasted  all  night.  Most  of  the  troops 
reached  their  destinations  in  the  Bois  de-la-Cote-en-Haye  before 
daybreak,  but  the  310th  Infantry,  the  307th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  with  its  "Fighting  Fords,"  and  part  of  the  Sanitary 
Train,  were  forced  to  camp  in  the  woods  alongside  the  roads  where 
daylight  found  them.  The  wet  and  disagreeable  day  of  the  11th 
was  spent  in  these  woods  with  Division  Headquarters  moving  from 
Rosieres-en-Haye  to  Rogeville  at  noon.  During  the  night  of  the 
11th,  the  156th  Brigade  moved  o\er  the  muddy,  torn-up  roads 
through  the  pitch  black  night  to  the  Bois  de-la-Rappe,  while  the 
155th  Brigade  and  the  other  units  moved  over  to  the  Bois  de-Greny. 
It  was  in  these  positions,  left  just  a  few  hours  before  by  the  Marines 
of  the  2nd  Division  and  other  troops,  that  the  division  saw  and 
heard  the  tremendous  four-hour  bombardment  which  prepared  the 
way  for  the  assault  at  5  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  September  12th. 

The  entire  division  was  not  used  in  the  actual  reduction  of  the 
salient  because,  as  is  well-known  now,  the  assaulting  troops  sur- 
prised the  Germans  by  the  suddenness  of  their  attack,  broke 
through  the  weak  (German)  77th  Reserve  Division  and  reached 
their  ifinal  objective  before  night  and  almost  a  day  ahead  of  the 
schedule.  Meanwhile  the  Germans  scuttled  out  of  the  salient  at 
full  speed,  wondering  all  the  time  why  the  Americans  did  not  push 
right  through  the  Hindenburg  Line  as  they  very  easily  could  have 
done  at  one  time  during  the  day.  All  troops  of  the  division  were, 
however,  kept  "alerted"  and  ready  to  go  forward  on  very  short  notice. 

The  first  visible  fruits  of  the  victory  were  long  columns  of 
prisoners,  looking  happy  rather  than  otherwise,  bound  for  the 
1st  Army  Corps  prisoner  cage  at  Saizerais.  The  number  of 
prisoners  became  so  large  in  the  afternoon  that  Companies 
"E"  of  the  312th  and  "I"  of  the  311th  Infantry  were  sent  to 
Saizerais  as  provost  guards  and  later  to  escort  the  prisoners 
to  Pagny-sur-Meuse.  At  about  the  same  time.  Company  "A"  of 
the  309th  Infantry  was  ordered  to  Rosieres-en-Haye  as  a  fatigue 
detail  at  the  Corps  ammunition  dump.  Late  on  the  12th,  it  became 
evident  to  higher  authorities  that  the  entire  success  of  the  assault 
might  be  lost  in  the  event  of  a  counter-attack,  because  the  condi- 
tions of  the  roads  near  and  across  the  four-year-old  "No  Man's 
Land"  was  so  bad.  The  303rd  Engineers  were,  therefore,  detached 
and  put  to  work  making  roads  under  the  orders  of  the  Corps 
Engineer.  While  on  this  detached  service,  they  suffered  several 
casualties  from  enemy  guns  and  some  of  the  men  made  their 
acquaintances  with  the  devilish  ingenuity  which  the  Huns  showed 
in  constructing  "man-traps." 


54  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

The  really  interesting  information  for  the  78th  Division  on 
that  day  was  the  warning  order  from  the  1st  Army  Corps  that 
"upon  the  arrival  of  the  attacking  divisions  on  the  *Army  Objec- 
tive," the  position  now  held  by  the  2nd  and  5th  Divisions  and  the 
left  brigade  of  the  90th  Division  on  the  Corps  Front,  will  become 
the  'Army  Line.' 

"The  78th  Division  will  be  charged  with  the  defense  of  this 
position." 

The  real  excitement,  however,  began  about  11  o'clock  at 
night,  when  a  hurried  telephone  call  from  Corps  Headquarters 
started  the  whole  156th  Brigade  off  for  the  front  line  to  reinforce 
the  2nd  Division,  supposedly  sustaining  a  heavy  counter-attack. 
When  the  advance  "agents"  of  the  brigade  reached  Loge-Mangin, 
they  found  the  2nd  Division  ignorant  of  any  counter-attack  and 
sore  to  think  that  any  body  believed  they  would  need  assistance  if 
there  had  been  an  attack,  so  the  brigade  was  halted  with  its  leading 
elements  just  south  of  Thiaucourt,  where  some  of  the  troops 
watched  the  fighting  and  others  were  commandeered  to  help  rebuild 
the  road  from  Fay-en-Haye  through  Regnieville  and  on  toward 
Thiaucourt.  At  nightfall  on  the  13th,  the  Brigade  was  sent  back 
to  the  Bois  de  Bouchot  and  the  Bois  de  Hacquemont,  but  orders 
came  shortly  after  the  troops  had  bivouacked  to  go  forward  again 
through  Limey  to  Remnauville,  to  a  position  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Bois  de  Euvezin.  For  practically  twenty -four  hours,  the 
Brigade  was  on  the  road  and  covered  in  that  time  thirty-one  kilo- 
meters over  roads  choked  with  transport,  and  what  had  once  been 
roads  through  the  old  "No  Man's  Land,"  but  which  now  were  no 
better  than  ploughed  fields.  The  explanation  of  the  "counter- 
attack" was  later  declared  to  have  been  that  a  telephone  operator 
misinterpreted  a  minor  rectification  of  the  line  to  permit  artillery 
fire  with  a  margin  of  safety  for  a  forced  retirement  and  going  off 
"half-cocked,"  spread  the  "news"  all  the  way  back  to  Corps  Head- 
quarters. 

The  march  of  the  156th  Brigade  was  not  lost,  however, 
because  on  the  night  of  the  13th  and  14th,  this  brigade  and  the  rest 
of  the  division  moved  up  to  the  Bois  d'Euvezin  and  the  outskirts 
of  Limey  in  preparation  for  the  relief.  The  155th  Brigade  started 
off  before  dark  on  the  13th  and  owing  to  change  of  orders  by  the 
Corps  which  had  not  reached  Division  Headquarters  until  after 
the  brigade  was  under  way,  got  into  a  "glorious"  traffic  tangle  with 
the  transport  of  the  2nd  Division  at  Limey,  when  things  were  tied 
in  a  "true  lover's  knot"  for  an  hour  or  two  as  a  result.  During  the 
first  night,  the  troops  were  very  "windy"  of  gas  and  about  fifteen 
separate  and  distinct  gas  alarms  were  spread  from  one  end  of  the 
division  to  the  other  during  the  hours  of  darkness,  to  the  destruction 
of  all  ideas  of  sleep  and  despite  all  the  perfectly  good  instructions 


The  St.  Mihiel  Ofensive  55 


571/G3 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  ARMY  CORPS 

American  E.  F. 

14  September,  1918. 

16  Hours 
FIELD  ORDERS 

No.  53.  . 

Map:  COMMERCY— 1:80,000. 

1.  The  78th  Division  will  relieve  the  following  units: 

2d  Division  (less  Artillery  Brigade)  on  night  15/16  September,  1918. 
5th  Division  (less  Artillery  Brigade)  on  night  16/17  September,  1918. 

2.  The  details  of  the  relief  will  be  arranged  by  the  C.  G's.  2d  Division  and  5th  Division  for  the 
sectors  occupied  by  their  respective  Divisions. 

3.  The  preliminary  reconnaissances  necessary  to  carry  out  the  above  reliefs  will  be  made  as 
follows: 

In  the  sector  of  the  2d  Division  on  the  night  14/15  September,  1918,  and  in  the  sector  of  the  5th 
Division  on  the  night  15/16  September,  1918. 

4.  Care  will  be  taken  by  all  commanders  to  turn  over  all  maps,  orders,  photos,  etc.,  which  pertain 
to  the  sector. 

5.  One  General  StafiF  Officer  from  the  G-1  and  one  from  the  G-3  section  and  one  staflf  officer  from 
each  Brigade,  Regimental  and  Battalion  headquarters  relieved  will  remain  with  the  corresponding  head- 
quarters of  the  relieving  unit  for  24  hours  after  command  passes. 

6.  Command  will  pass  to  the  C.  G.  78th  Division  as  follows: 

2d  Division  Sector  16,  September,  1918,  at  10:00  hours. 
5th  Division  Sector  17,  September,  1918,  at  10:00  hours. 

7.  P.  C.  78th  Division:  LOGE  MANGIN. 
Axis  of  liaison:   Present  axis  of  the  2d  Division. 

8.  The  2d  Division  upon  being  relieved  will  proceed  by  marching  to  the  ANSAUVILLE-ROY- 
AUMEIX  area.  In  addition  to  the  roads  in  the  present  2d  Division  Sector,  the  LIMEY-FLIREY- 
ANSATJVILLE-ROYAUMEIX  road,  the  NOVIANT-MINORVILLE-ANSAUVILLE  road  and  the 
MINORVILLE-ROYAUMEIX  road  are  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  C.  G.  2d  Division  for  this  move- 
ment. 

9.  The  5th  Division,  upon  being  relieved,  will  proceed  by  marching  to  the  DOMEVRE  region. 
All  roads  in  the  present  2d  and  5th  Divisional  areas  are  at  the  disposal  of  the  C.  G.  5th  Division  for 
this  movement. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Liggett: 


DISTRIBUTION 

C.  G.  1st  Army  G-3 

C.  G.  1st  A.  C.  Chief  Corps  Artillery 

C.  G.  4th  A.  C.  Chief  Air  Service 

C.  G.  2d  Division  (5)  Chief  Engineer 

C.  G.  5th  Division  (5)  Chief  Signal  Officer 

C.  G.  78th  Division  (5)  Chief  Ordnance  Officer 

C.  G.  89th  Division  Chief  Quartermaster 

C.  G.  90th  Division  Chief  Surgeon 

G-1  A.  P.  M. 

G-2 


Malin  Craig, 

Chief  of  StafiF. 


56  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

on  gas  alarms  and  how  they  should  be  given,  which  the  division 
had  been  receiving  during  the  last  three  months  from  "Scotty" 
Howieson  of  the  "Black  Watch" — and  his  disciples,  the  Gas  Officers. 
Next  day  there  was  plenty  of  interest  in  looking  over  the  German 
lines  inside  the  Bois  d'Euvezin,  hunting  for  souvenirs  and  finding 
the  dead  Boche.  Here  the  men  also  made  the  acquaintance  of  a 
Boche  helmet  trap  and  one  "outfit"  learned  the  reason  for  the 
existence  of  "potato-mashers,"  when  an  "expert"  in  fireworks 
decided  they  were  a  new  form  of  roman  candles,  pulled  the  string 
and  whirled  one  around  his  head  for  a  little  4th  of  July  celebration. 

Division  Headquarters  opened  up  in  the  ruins  of  Limey  at 
noon  on  the  14th  and  the  next  day  the  three  infantry  companies 
which  had  been  on  special  duty  and  the  Engineer  Regiment  rejoined 
the  command  there.  Late  on  the  14th,  the  division  received 
the  order  which  it  had  been  impatiently  awaiting.*  The  relief 
of  the  2nd  Division,  less  artillery  by  the  155th  Infantry  Brigade, 
was  ordered  for  the  night  of  the  15th-16th,  and  the  relief  of 
the  5th  Division,  also  less  its  artillery  by  the  156th  Infantry 
Brigade,  for  the  following  night.  The  details  of  the  reliefs 'were 
arranged  the  next  day  by  the  generals  concerned  and  the  necessary 
reconnaissance  made.  Battalion  and  Company  commanders  of  the 
155th  Brigade  went  up  to  Thiaucourt  to  look  over  the  front  and 
the  positions  they  were  to  move  into.  There  they  saw  their  first 
freshly  gathered  Boche  prisoners  and  the  American  wounded  coming 
back  to  the  aid  stations,  but  they  themselves  went  forward  with 
guides  from  the  Marines  to  reconnoitre  the  first  line.  The  posi- 
tions were  generally  in  the  woods,  the  woods  were  under  shell  fire 
and  nobody  seemed  particularly  anxious  to  go  prowling  around 
the  Bois  de  la  Montague  and  the  Bois  de  Hailbat  in  order  to  show 
them  just  where  the  Marines  had  their  fox  holes,  so  that  after  an 
interesting  visit  in  which  considerable  (though  rather  vague)  infor- 
mation about  the  location  of  positions  and  troops  was  gathered  up, 
but  far  less  than  was  necessary  for  the  clock-like  reliefs  of  which 
we  had  read  in  the  instruction  pamphlets,  the  78th  Division  officers 
returned  to  their  own  units.  The  next  day  the  officers  of  the  156th 
Brigade  had  a  somewhat  similar  experience  with  the  front  line  of 
the  5th  Division. 

It  was  exciting  work  to  move  a  green  division  into  a  new  and 
unorganized  sector  just  won  from  the  enemy  and  take  over  the 
dangerous  task  of  holding  it  while  it  was  organized.  But  the  78th 
made  the  relief  in  such  an  efficient  manner  that  General  Liggett 
sent  the  following  exceptional  commendation  dated  September 
17th  to  General  McRae: 

"1.     I  am  directed  by  the  Corps  Commander  to  inform  you 
that  the  taking  over  of  the  sectors  of  the  divisions  which  you  have 
*See  F.  O.  No.  53  First  Army  Corps,  14  Sept.,  1918. 


The  St.  Mihiel  Offensive  51 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 

14th  September,  1918 

23  hours 
SECRET 

FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  13. 
Maps:  COMMERCY  1/80,000 

THIAUCOURT  1/50,000. 

1.  The  78th  Division  will  take  over  the  line  now  held  by  the  2nd  and  5th  Divisions,  as  indicated 
below : 

155th  Brigade,  (less  1  Battalion  Infantry)  relieves  the  2nd  Division,  (less  Artillery  Brigade)  on 
night  of  15/16  September,  1918. 

156th  Brigade,  (less  1  Battalion  Infantry)  relieves  5th  Division,  (less  Artillery  Brigade)  on  night 
of  16/17  September,  1918. 

2.  The  details  of  the  relief  will  be  arranged  by  a  conference  between  the  Commanding  Generals 
of  the  relieving  units  and  the  units  to  be  relieved. 

3.  The  preliminary  reconnaissance  necessary  to  carry  out  the  above  reliefs  will  be  made  as  follows: 
Sector  now  held  by  2nd  Division,  on  night  14/15  September,  1918. 

Sector  now  held  by  5th  Division,  on  night  of  15/16  September,  1918. 

4.  All  commanders  will  see  that  all  maps,  orders,  photos,  etc.,  pertaining  to  their  sectors,  are 
turned  over  to  them  by  the  commanders  whom  they  relieve. 

5.  One  Staff  Officer  from  each  Brigade,  Regimental  and  Battalion  Headquarters  relieved,  will 
remain  with  the  corresponding  Headquarters  of  the  relieving  unit  for  twenty-four  (24)  hours  after 
command  passes. 

6.     Command  will  pass  to  the  Commanding  General,  78th  Division,  as  follows: 
2nd  Division  Sector — 16th  September,   1918,  at   10:00  Hours. 
5th  Division  Sector— 17th  September,   1918,  at   10:00  Hours. 

7.  Arrangements  will  be  made  by  unit  commanders  for  guides  to  conduct  units  to  their  positions 
in  the  line. 

8.  The  Divisional  Reserve,  consisting  of  307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and  one  Battalion  of 
Infantry  from  155th  Brigade,  and  one  Battalion  of  Infantry  from  156th  Brigade,  Lieut.  Col.  Galleher, 
309th  Infantry,  commanding,  will  assemble  in  the  BOIS  D'EUVEZIN. 

9.  The  axis  of  liaison  will  be  the  present  axis  of  the  2nd  Division.  The  necessity  for  the  use  of  code 
in  telephoning  must  be  impressed  upon  all. 

10.  COMMAND  POSTS  as  follows: 

P.  C.  78th  Division— LOGE  MANGIN. 
Brigade  Commanders  will  select  tentatively,  command  posts  for  their  sectors,  and  will  notify  the 
Division  Commander  of  their  selections. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae : 

Harry  N.  Cootes, 
Chief  of  StaflF. 


58  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

just  relieved  was,  so  far  as  he  could  learn,  done  in  an  orderly,  well- 
directed  manner. 

"2.  The  difficulties  of  taking  over  a  normal  sector  are  very 
great  and  a  test  of  the  efficiency  of  your  staff,  and  the  troops  con- 
cerned in  the  movement.  To  have  accomplished  this  under  condi- 
tions of  semi-open  warfare  as  you  have  done  is  most  creditable,  but 
when  there  is  further  added  the  fact  that  your  division  is  in  line 
for  the  first  time,  the  Corps  Commander  cannot  help  expressing 
his  gratification,  together  with  the  prophecy  that  your  command 
will  give  a  good  account  of  itself  in  this  and  future  situations  in 
which  it  will  find  itself. 

(Signed)  Malin  Craig, 

Chief  of  Staff." 

The  relief  was  not  made  without  exciting  incidents,  however, 
as  in  the  312th  Infantry,  when  Major  Butler,  leading  his  battalion 
up  to  the  front  line  in  the  pitch  dark,  found  a  German  counter- 
attack in  progress,  and  with  the  311th  Infantry,  which  relieved  part 
of  the  5th  Division,  after  a  vigorous  German  night  attack  had  driven 
back  the  front  slightly,  and  proceeded  to  restore  the  old  line  at  once. 
Division  Headquarters  moved  under  Corps  orders  to  Loge  Mangin, 
and  took  over  the  former  German  battalion  headquarters  in  that 
patch  of  woods.  Command  of  the  155th  Brigade  sector  passed  to 
General  McRae  at  10.00  hours  September  16th,  and  of  the  156th 
Brigade  sector  the  next  day  at  the  same  time.  The  7th  Engineer 
Regiment  was  attached  to  the  division  until  Sept.  20th  to  assist  in 
the  work  of  organization  and  particularly  to  complete  the  salvaging 
of  German  guns  and  the  burial  of  the  dead.  Two  artillery  brigades 
were  in  support  for  a  short  time,  but  by  the  19th,  the  2nd  Artillery 
Brigade  had  withdrawn  to  go  to  Champagne  and  the  attack  on 
Blanc  Mont,  while  the  5th  Artillery  Brigade,  under  Brigadier 
General  Flagler  covered  the  whole  sector.  The  division  as  a  whole 
was  thus  at  last  where  all  American  troops  wanted  to  be — on  the 
fighting  front  holding  its  own  sector  and  ready  to  attack  whatever 
turned  up. 

Our  own  artillery  brigade,  the  153rd,  meanwhile  had  been 
doing  its  full  share  with  the  90th  Division,  which  was  now  on  the 
immediate  right  of  the  78th,  and  it  was  not  long  before  General 
Hearn  visited  Division  Headquarters  to  renew  old  acquaintance- 
ships and  to  tell  what  the  artillery  brigade  had  been  doing  since  its 
arrival  in  France. 

The  artillery  brigade  had  trained  in  Brittany  until  about 
the  middle  of  August;  then  it  moved  into  the  Saint  Mihiel  region 
and  on  the  26th  of  August  went  into  position  in  support  of  the 
90th  Division,  between  Pont-a-Mousson  and  Fey-en-Haye.  The 
location  of  part  of  the  309th  Regiment  was  discovered  by  the  Ger- 
mans almost  at  once  and  their  positions  were  severely  shelled.    The 


These  78th  Division  ordnance  repair  men  tuned  up  this  captured  German  machine  gun  and  used 
it  for  anti-aircraft  work  near  THIAUCOURT,  September,  1918 


The  Fifth  French  Corps  were  on  the  left  of  the  78th  Division  in  the  final  phase  of  the  Meuse- 
Argonne  OflFensive.     Veterans  of  four  years'  warfare  and  our  men  working  together  here 


60  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

308th  F.  A.  men  also  were  discovered  while  on  the  march  and  the 
severe  shelling  which  they  were  subjected  to,  caused  several 
casualties  among  the  men  and  many  among  the  horses.  The  old 
battery  positions  were  abandoned  on  September  6th  and  the  whole 
brigade  moved  forward  to  new  positions  nearer  the  enemy  front 
line.  The  308th  F.  A.  and  307th  F.  A.  took  positions  along  the 
line  from  Pont-a-Mousson  through  Madures  and  Montauville 
towards  Fey-en-Haye,  with  the  309th  F.  A.  in  support.  These 
were  the  positions  occupied  on  the  night  of  the  11th  and  12th,  when 
the  preliminary  bombardment  began.  In  order  to  conceal  the  fact 
of  the  changed  positions  from  the  enemy,  no  fire  for  adjustment 
had  been  permitted  and  the  firing  data  for  some  batteries  arrived 
at  the  battalion  command  posts  as  late  as  10  o'clock  on  the  night 
of  the  11th.  After  firing  the  preliminary  bombardment,  the  brigade 
put  down  its  first  rolling  barrage  at  5  o'clock  in  the  morning  and 
protected  the  victorious  and  vigorous  advance  made  by  the  90th 
Division  infantry.  This  rolling  barrage  was  afterwards  the  subject 
of  general  praise  and  comment  by  the  infantry,  who  stated  that  it 
was  clock-like  in  its  precision  and  that  they  had  no  difficulty  in 
advancing  under  it. 

By  early  morning  on  the  13th,  observers  reported  that  the 
enemy  was  out  of  range  for  the  light  regiments  and  it  was  found  that 
even  by  depressing  the  trails  and  using  maximum  elevation  the 
enemy  could  not  be  reached.  New  positions  were  at  once  selected 
and  between  the  14th  and  16th,  the  entire  brigade  had  moved  up 
in  front  of  the  Bois-le-Pretre  and  facing  Pagny-sur-Moselle.  From 
then  until  the  time  the  brigade  left  the  sector,  there  was  plenty  of 
opportunity  to  practice  all  the  artillery  principles  learned  in  training 
camps. 

The  three  weeks  which  were  spent  by  the  division  in  organ- 
izing the  new  front  inside  what  had  been  the  powerful  Saint  Mihiel 
Salient,  is  described  in  detail  in  the  following  chapter. 


CHAPTER  IV 


THE  LIMEY  SECTOR 


HE  FRONT  which  the  division  had  taken  over  soon  came 
to  be  known  as  the  "Limey  Sector."  It  was  seven  kilo- 
meters wide  and  was  practically  the  front  taken  by  the 
2nd  and  5th  Divisions.  The  ground  was  hilly  and  rolling 
with  many  ravines  and  stretches  of  dense  woods.  The 
western  half  of  the  sector  was  cut  diagonally  across  from 
southwest  to  northeast  by  the  winding,  precipitous  valley 
of  a  small  creek,  called  the  Rupt  de  Mad.  West  of  this 
stream  our  outpost  at  the  end  of  the  drive  was  located  in 
the  woods,  "No  Man's  Land"  was  open  and  rolling, 
sloping  upwards  to  the  forward  positions  of  the  Michel  Stellung,  or 
Hindenburg  Line,  around  Charey  and  Mon  Plaisir  Farm.  The 
steep  valley  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad,  the  sides  of  which  rose  abruptly  in 
places  one  hundred  meters  in  less  than  three  hundred,  split  the  line, 
but  this  feature  was  not  a  serious  weakness,  because  the  loops  and 
turns  of  the  stream  made  it  easy  to  control  the  gap.  East  of  the 
Rupt  de  Mad  the  outpose  zone  and  "No  Man's  Land"  were  both 
in  woods  so  dense  that  passage  was  impossible  for  bodies  of  troops 
except  along  existing  paths  and  roads.  So  far  as  the  front  line  was 
concerned,  the  boundaries  remained  practically  the  same,  but  several 
changes  were  made  in  the  back  area  limits  for  administrative  con- 
venience. 

ORGANIZATION 
The  mission  of  the  division  was  to  hold  and  organize  this 
ground  for  defense  while  maintaining  an  aggressive  attitude  toward 
the  enemy — or  in  other  words,  to  "dig  in  and  worry  'Fritz.'  "  The 
"digging-in"  was  far  easier  to  order  than  to  do,  for  the  only  work 
of  organization  taken  over  was  a  partial  line  of  "foxholes"  on  the 
front  of  the  155th  Brigade  while  on  the  156th  Brigade  front  the 
trace  of  the  first  parallel  in  the  line  of  principal  resistance  had  been 
marked  out,  a  map  of  the  position  partially  prepared,  and  a  large 
supply  of  captured  tools  and  engineer  material  gathered  by  the 
5th  Division.  The  ground  itself  was  not  favorable  for  digging, 
because  after  about  a  foot  of  soft  top  soil  had  been  removed,  lime- 
stone and  shale  or  clay  were  usually  found,  which  were  very  hard 
to  work  with  the  issue  of  "sugar  spoons"  and  "toothpicks"  which 
the  infantry  carried  in  their  packs,  while  the  captured  tools  were 
not  nearly  enough  to  go  round.    There  was,  however,  the  advantage 


The  Limey  Sector  63 

in  this  hardness,  that  immediate  revetment  work  was  not  necessary. 
The  position  was  organized  (see  Field  Order  No.  15,  78th 
Division,  23rd  September,  1918)  into  an  "outpost  zone,"  a  "barrage 
zone"  and  a  "main  position  of  resistance."  The  forward  hne  of  obser- 
vation groups  was  actually  located  from  a  point  just  west  of  the 
Charey-Xammes  road  along  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la 
Montague,  the  Bois  de  Hailbat  (including  groups  well  up  towards 
Rembercourt  on  the  south  bank  of  the  stream),  through  the  north 
ern  part  of  the  Bois  de  Bonvaux  and  western  part  of  the  Bois  de 
Hanido  over  to  La  Souleuvre  Farm.  The  line  of  principal  resistance 
was  laid  out  along  a  counter  slope  from  Xammes  to  the  top  of  the  Rupt 
de  Mad  just  south  of  Jaulny,  crossed  the  stream  south  of  that  town 
and  ran  slightly  southeast  along  the  northern  side  of  the  ridge  to 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  Bois  Gerard  and  then  over  to  Hill  361.4, 
which  commanded  that  end  of  the  sector.  The  barrage  zone  of 
not  less  than  600  metres  depth  ran  between  these  two  positions. 
The  Hindenburg  Line  was  on  the  high  ground  less  than  three 
kilometers  from  this  line  of  principal  resistance  so  that  neither  the 
outpost  zone  nor  the  barrage  zone  could  be  as  deep  as  was  desirable. 
Nor  could  this  defect  be  remedied  by  falling  back  slightly,  as  the 
line  of  principal  resistance  was  on  and  along  the  most  important 
tactical  ground  between  Xammes  and  the  Moselle  River.  The 
outpost  zone  was,  therefore,  cramped  up  under  the  Hindenburg 
Line  on  an  average  of  less  than  1500  metres  away.  Practically 
the  whole  of  both  positions,  outside  of  the  woods,  was  under  direct 
ground  observation  from  the  enemy's  line,  and  since  this  sector  of 
the  new  front  was  nearer  the  enemy's  line  than  any  other  inside 
the  old  salient,  the  enemy  made  full  use  of  the  big  advantage  which 
this  gave  him. 

The  infantry  constructed  all  works  in  the  outpost  zone  and 
organized  there  a  system  of  strong  points  echeloned  in  depth,  where 
by  shifting  occasionally  to  alternative  positions,  the  worst  of  the 
shelling  might  be  avoided.  Both  infantry  and  engineers  worked  on 
the  main  line  of  resistance.  This  position  was  even  more  exposed 
to  enemy  observation  than  the  observation  groups  and  suffered  so 
severely  from  the  harassing  fire  that  work  was  done  mainly  at  night 
until  it  was  well  advanced,  but  at  times  it  had  to  be  completely 
suspended  because  of  the  bombardment.  The  engineers  did  most  of 
the  wiring  and  the  infantry  most  of  the  digging.  When  the  division 
left  the  sector  this  first  parallel  was  practically  complete  with  some 
sandbag  shelters — proof  against  77  mm.  shells — dug  into  the  back 
walls,  but  no  elaborate  dugouts  were  built,  no  systematic  camou- 
flage was  carried  out,  and  but  little  was  done  on  communication 
trenches  and  other  such  construction  characteristic  of  a  highly 
developed  trench  system  in  position  warfare. 


64  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 

23rd  September,  1918. 


SECRET 
FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  15. 
Maps:  COMMERCY— 1/80,000. 
THIAUCOURT— 1/50,000. 
CHAMBLEY  5-6—1/20,000. 
BOIS  LE  PRETRE— 1/20,000.  , 

MORT  MARE— 1/20,000. 

PLAN  OF  DEFENSE 
OF  LIMEY  SECTOR  HELD  BY 
78th  division. 

I.  The  LIMEY  Sector  is  bounded  as  follows: 

WESTERN  LIMIT:— CHAREY  (exclusive)  XAMMES  (exclusive)— THIAUCOURT  (inclusive) 
—LIMEY  (inclusive)— NOVIANT  (exclusive). 

EASTERN  LIMIT:— Height  349.0— LA  SOULEUVRE  FME.  (exclusive)— point  84.10— Point 
84.00  (800  meters  East  of  VIEVILLE)— Point  83.90  (where  road  from  VIEVILLE  enters  BOIS  ST. 
CLAUDE)— along  road  South  and  Southeast  to  BOIS  DE  LA  RAPPE  (Point  88.78)— Point  89.62 
(one  kilometer  East  of  REGNIEVILLE)— Road  fork  at  Point  94.34  (one  kilometer  North  of  MAMEY) 
— MARTINCOURT  (exclusive)— TREMBLECOURT  (inclusive). 

SOUTHERN  LIMIT:— Main  road  from  NOVIANT  to  TREMBLECOURT. 

II.  (a)     The  89th  Division  is  holding  the  EL^VEZIN  Sector  on  our  left. 
(b)     The  90th  Division  is  holding  the  MAMEY  Sector  on  our  right. 

III.  The  position  to  be  held  is  divided  into  three  zones: 

(a)  THE  OUTPOST  ZONE. 

(b)  THE  BARRAGE  ZONE. 

(c)  THE  MAIN  POSITION  OF  RESISTANCE. 

(a)  THE  OUTPOST  ZONE :— (Variable  in  depth  according  to  the  terrain  and  the  tactical  situa- 
tion) Will  be  held  as  follows  from  front  to  rear: 

1st.     The  line  of  observation  groups. 

2nd.     The  support^ine  of  combat  groups. 

3rd.     The  line  of  reserve  groups. 

The  function  of  the  first  line  groups  is  to  observe  the  enemy  and  give  timely  warning  of  his 
approach  in  force. 

The  function  of  the  2nd  line  groups  is  to  repel  minor  attacks  and  to  slow  up  and  disorganize 
a  serious  offensive,  thus  giving  time  for  the  garrison  of  the  main  line  of  resistance  to  prepare  for  the 
attack. 

The  function  of  the  3rd  line  groups  is  to  counter-attack  automatically  should  the  enemy  gain 
a  foothold  in  the  2nd  line  of  groups. 

All  three  lines  of  groups  will  be  dug-in, — the  first  in  pits  or  shell  holes;  the  second  in  strong 
points  completely  encircled  by  wire  and  placed  in  checkerboard  formation,  so  as  to  be  able  to  render 
mutual  support;  the  third  in  trenches  designed  for  shelter  and  defense,  but  so  laid  out  as  not  to  hinder 
a  prompt  advance  to  counter-attack. 

IT  WILL  BE  NOTED  THAT  ONLY  THE  OBSERVATION  GROUPS  ARE  AUTHORIZ- 
ED TO  MAKE  ANY  BACKWARD  MOVEMENT. 

(b)  THE  BARRAGE  ZONE:— Will  be  a  zone  not  less  than  600  meters  in  depth  between  the 
Outpost  Zone  and  the  Main  Position  of  Resistance,  which  will  be  clear  of  our  troops  so  that  a  barrage 


The  Limey  Sector  Q5 

may  be  laid  in  this  zone  without  injury  to  our  own  troops  in  case  the  enemy  infiltrates  in,  or  forces  his 
way  through  the  Outpost  Zone. 

(c)  THE  MAIN  POSITION  OF  RESISTANCE :— Will  be  that  outlined  on  the  accompanying 
map.  IT  IS  ON  THIS  POSITION  THAT  THE  REMAINDER  OF  THE  DIVISION  WILL  FIGHT 
TO  A  FINISH. 

IV.  (a)     Brigade  subsectors  are  assigned  as  follows: — 

155th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE: 

WESTERN  LIMIT:    Western  limit  of  the  Divisional  Sector. 

EASTERN  LIMIT:  REMENAUVILLE  (inclusive)— BOIS  DU  FOUR  (inclusive)— BOIS 
D'HEICHE  (inclusive)— Point  307.3  (exclusive)— Crossroads  306.6  (inclusive)— BOIS  DE  BONVAUX 
(excl  usive)— REMBERCOURT    (inclusive) . 

156th  infantry  BRIGADE: 
WESTERN  LIMIT:    Eastern  limit  of  155th  Infantry  Brigade  subsector. 
EASTERN  LIMIT:     Eastern  limit  of  the  Divisional  Sector. 

(b)  Each  Infantry  Brigade  (less  one  battalion  of  infantry)  will  hold  its  subsector  with  its  regiments 
side  by  side. 

(c)  Subject  to  the  following  limitations,  the  strength  with  which  the  various  positions  are  held, 
is  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Brigade  Commander. 

(1)  The  Outpost  Zone  will  be  held  by  not  more  than  one-third  nor  less  than  one-quarter  of  the 
strength  (in  infantry  and  machine  guns)  of  the  garrison  of  the  brigade  subsector. 

(2)  The  Main  Position  will  be  held  by  the  remainder  of  the  strength  (in  infantry  and  machine 
guns)  of  the  garrison  of  the  brigade  subsector. 

(3)  Not  less  than  50%  of  the  garrison  of  each  position  will  be  assigned  the  duty  of  automatically 
counter-attacking  in  case  any  part  of  the  position  is  taken. 

(4)  The  Divisional  Reserve,  consisting  of  two  battalions  of  infantry  and  the  307th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  is  assigned  the  following  Alert  Position: 

Northwestern  part  of  the  BOIS  DU  FOUR. 

This  Reserve  will  be  prepared  to  march  at  any  time  to  the  Alert  Position.  When  ordered  to 
the  Alert  Position,  the  Commanding  OflBcer,  Divisional  Reserve  will  at  once  establish  a  chain  of  runners 
between  his  Alert  P.  C.  and  the  Divisional  P.  C. 

The  function  of  the  Divisional  Reserve  is  to  reinforce  the  Main  Position  of  Resistance,  or  to 
counter-attack  in  case  the  Position  is  entered  by  the  enemy. 

(5)  The  placing  of  Machine  Guns  will  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  Divisional  Machine  Gun 
OflBcer. 

V.  ARTILLERY:— 

(a)  Approximately  two-thirds  of  the  Divisional  Artillery  will  be  placed  between  the  line  of  Resist- 
ance and  the  Alert  Position  of  the  Divisional  Reserve.  Approximately  one-third  of  the  Divisional 
Artillery  will  be  placed  in  rear  of  the  Alert  Position  of  the  Divisional  Reserve. 

(b)  Field  Artillery  and  Heavy  Howitzers  should  be  so  placed  that  they  can  execute  counter- 
preparation  fire  1,500  to  2,000  meters  in  front  of  the  Zone  of  Outposts. 

(c)  The  Artillery  will  co-operate  in  the  defense, — first,  by  delivering  a  fire  of  counter-preparation 
with  the  maximum  number  of  guns  possible.  This  is  the  principal  mission  of  the  Artillery  in  defense. 
Second,  by  delivering  a  barrage  fire  in  front  of  the  Line  of  Resistance,  in  the  Barrage  Zone,  and  in  front 
of  the  Zone  of  Outposts. 

VI.  Details  of  Supply,  Evacuation,  etc.,  will  be  announced  in  Administrative  Orders. 
VIII.     Command  Posts  as  follows: —  ..„       ,'   '    .■^,  , 

P.  C.  78th  Division— LOGE  MANGIN.  '       '     ' 

P.  C.  Divisional  Artillery— BOIS  DES  SAULX. 

P.  C.  155th  Infantry  Brigade— THIAUCOURT. 

P.  C.  156th  Infantry  Brigade— BOIS  DE  LA  RAPPE. 

P.  C.  Divisional  Reserve— BOIS  D'EUVEZIN. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

C.  D.  Hebron, 
Chief  of  StaflF. 


VJflP    No  5 
7S  Division 

IN     THE. 


LiMEiY    Sector, 


Front  lines  as   meld  from  entry 
;  into  line.s  the.  niomt  of  is  ah4d  is  op  sept  bythb 

IS5     BRiQAcSe    and     16  AND  \7   OF  SEPT.    BYTHEIS* 
'BRI8AQC    0^4TIL     RELIEVED     4  OCT.  1910    EXCEPT 


371  37* 


The  Limey  Sector  67 

GARRISONING  THE  SECTOR 

The  90th  Division  was  on  the  right  in  the  Puvenelle  Sector 
and  the  89th  on  the  left  in  the  Euvezin  Sector,  with  a  regiment  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Conrad  Babcock  adjoining  the  310th  Infantry, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Walter  Babcock — a  coincidence  which 
caused  a  little  confusion  at  Division  Headquarters  until  it  was 
understood,  especially  when  the  position  of  the  former  was  reported 
considerably  to  the  rear  of  where  the  310th  was  supposed  to  be. 
Continuing  the  line  from  the  left  flank  towards  the  east  were  the 
309th,  the  312th  and  the  311th  Regiments.  Each  Brigade  had  five 
infantry  battalions  and  six  machine  gun  companies  with  which  to 
to  hold  its  subsector.  After  the  outpost  zone  had  become  fairly 
well  organized  and  the  danger  of  an  immediate  counter-attack  had 
passed,  the  garrison  there  was  reduced  from  four  companies  to  two 
per  regiment,  with  supporting  machine  guns.  Four  to  six  companies 
of  infantry  and  the  bulk  of  the  machine  guns  were  in  the  line  of 
principal  resistance  in  each  regimental  sector  and  one  battalion 
and  two  machine  gun  companies  were  in  the  reserve  of  each  brigade. 

These  reserves  were  stationed  in  the  Bois  d'Heiche  and  the 
Bois  des  Grandes  Portions  about  two  and  a  half  kilometers  behind 
the  first  parallel  of  the  line  of  principal  resistance.  The  division 
reserve  of  two  battalions  of  infantry  and  the  division  machine  gun 
battalion  was  stationed  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Bois  d'Euvezin. 
The  alert  position  of  this  force  in  case  of  an  attack  was  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  Bois  du  Four  to  which  it  was  prepared  to  march 
at  any  time.  The  station  of  the  reserves  was  used  as  rest  billets  for 
the  battalions  after  their  tours  of  four  or  five  days  in  the  line. 
Reliefs  were  made  upon  the  initiative  of  brigade  commanders,  sub- 
ject to  the  approval  of  Division  Headquarters  in  order  to  avoid  too 
many  reliefs  at  one  time  and  to  make  arrangements  for  the  disposi- 
tion of  the  units  in  reserve.  The  dense  woods  in  the  sector  of  the 
312th  Infantry  made  all  movement  at  night  difficult.  Reliefs  by 
daylight  were,  therefore,  tried  with  complete  success.  Small 
groups  of  men  were  sent  in  and  out  at  a  time  and  several  such 
reliefs  were  made  without  casualties  or  confusion. 

Approximately  two-thirds  of  the  5th  Artillery  Brigade  under 
Brigadier  General  Flagler  was  placed  between  the  positions  of 
principal  resistance  and  the  alert  position  of  the  division  reserve, 
the  rest  of  the  artillery  was  in  the  rear  of  the  alert  position  and  all 
of  it  was  so  placed  as  to  be  able  to  execute  counter-preparation  fire 
from  one  and  a  half  to  two  kilometers  in  front  of  the  outpose  zone 
The  battery  emplacements  were  selected  and  prepared  by  the 
artillerymen  and,  being  subject  to  less  interference  from  the  enemy, 
they  were  almost  completed  by  October  5th.  The  work  of  the 
artillery  was  handicapped  considerably  by  the  small  allowance  of 


While  the  Germans  still  held  THIAUCOURT,  the  French  civilians  were  com- 
pelled to  remain  amid  the  ruin  and  desolation.     (From  captured  German 
plates.)    Observe  the  civilians  in  this  street  and  the  utter  disregard  with  which 
the  German  soldiers  left  their  dead  lie  about. 


These  French  youngsters  lived  foi  nearly  four  years  in  close  intimate  touch 
with  the  horrors  of  war. 


Traffic  bridge  in  the  center  of  the  town  which  was  a  special  artillery  target. 


The  Limey  Sector  69 

ammunition  for  daily  use  which  was  made  to  them  while  the  division 
was  in  the  sector,  and  to  the  lack  of  airplane  reconnaisance  and 
observation  of  enemy  positions,  but  they  always  co-operated  to 
the  extent  of  their  power  and  with  very  good  spirit. 

Headquarters  of  the  Division  and  of  the  Signal  Battalion  were 
located  at  Loge  Mangin  in  the  excellent  dugouts  which  had  been 
the  home  of  German  Battalion  headquarters  and  which  were  well 
enough  except  for  their  size  which  made  it  necessary  in  some  cases 
to  put  the  tables  outside  and  hang  the  chairs  on  the  walls  in  order 
to  find  room  enough  to  lie  on  the  floor  at  night.  Perhaps  because 
the  Germans  did  not  believe  a  division  headquarters  could  be 
crowded  into  such  small  space,  this  little  patch  of  woods  escaped 
with  two  slight  shellings,  although  the  woods  on  all  sides  were 
frequently  subjected  to  searching  fire.  The  5th  Artillery  Brigade 
Headquarters  were  in  the  Bois  des  Saulx,  those  of  the  155th  Brigade 
and  the  310th  Infantry  in  Thiaucourt,  the  309th  Infantry  in  Bois 
du-Fey,  the  156th  Brigade  in  the  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la  Rappe,  the 
312th  Infantry  in  the  Bois  Gerard  and  the  311th  Infantry  in  the 
Bois  de  St.  Claude,  just  southeast  of  Vieville-en-Haye.  The  Engi- 
neers Headquarters  were  in  the  Bois  d'Heiche. 

''CARRYING  ON*' 

Such  was  the  plan  and  the  arrangements  under  which  the 
Division  carried  out  its  mission  of  "digging  in  and  worrying  *  Fritz.*  " 
Although  the  morale  of  his  infantry  was  badly  shattered  by  the 
results  of  the  assault,  the  enemy  was  aware  even  before  the  division 
took  over  that  the  offensive  had  stopped  and  that  a  new  line  would 
have  to  be  organized  on  ground  with  which  he  was  thoroughly 
familiar,  so  that  he  was  all  too  soon  ready  to  use  his  plentiful  and 
efficient  artillery  to  make  that  organization  as  difficult  as  possible. 
The  harassing  fire,  well  regulated  from  the  ground  and  from  the 
air,  where  the  enemy  acted  with  the  greatest  freedom  and  his  usual 
audacity,  was  kept  up  continuously  upon  all  parts  of  the  lines. 
Day  and  night  until  practically  the  end  of  the  stay,  shells  of  all 
kinds  were  coming  in  and  taking  a  severe  toll  of  casualties.  Small 
wonder  then  that  many  times  division  headquarters  was  bluntly 
and  emphatically  informed  by  some  badly  mauled  infantry  that 
our  own  artillery  was  firing  short  because  the  shells  were  coming 
from  behind.  Then,  after  half  an  hour  of  telephoning  to  all  artillery 
commands  in  the  area,  "G-3"  would  give  back  the  information  that 
it  was  coming  from  behind  alright,  but  that  none  of  our  artillery 
was  firing  at  any  target  even  remotely  near  the  spot  reported  and 
that  it  must  be  the  enemy  artillery  firing  from  across  the  Moselle 
where  the  German  line  lay  to  the  southeast  of  ours  and  so  could 
deliver  a  nasty  crossfire.  Small  wonder  also  after  the  great  bulk 
of  the  Allied  airplanes  had  moved  over  to  the  Argonne  "show," 


70 


History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 

25th  September,  1918. 
SECRET 

FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  16. 
Maps:  CH AMBLE Y  5/6—1/20,000. 
HAGEVILLE— 1/10,000. 

1.  The  situation  as  regards  the  enemy  is  unchanged. 

2.  Our  First  Army  in  conjunction  with  Allied  Troops,  will  make  an  attack  West  of  the  MEUSE 
The  Fourth  Corps  will  support  this  attack  by  making  a  demonstration  along  the  entire  front. 

3.  (a)  A  raid  against  the  enemy  position,  as  agreed  upon  at  conference,  will  be  made  on  D  day 
at  H  hour,  under  arrangements  made  by  Commanding  General,  155th  Brigade.  The  mission  of  the 
raiders  is  to  take  prisoners,  documents,  and  such  property  as  is  easily  portable. 

(b)  The  Artillery  will  conform  to  the  Artillery  Plan  as  issued  by  Fourth  Corps.  (Copy  furnished 
C.  G.  Divisional  Artillery.) 

(c)  The  rate  of  advance  of  the  Raiding  Infantry  will  be  100  meters  in  three  (3)  minutes. 

(d)  The  duration  of  the  raid  will  be  one  hour  and  forty-five  minutes  (1  hour  and  45  minutes) 
from  H  hour.    At  the  end  of  this  time,  the  raiders  must  be  back  in  our  lines. 

(e)  All  dead  or  wounded  Americans  will  be  brought  back  to  our  lines. 

(f)  THE  DIVISION  WILL  HOLD  ITSELF  IN  READINESS  FOR  A  POSSIBLE  COMBINED 
OFFENSIVE  ACTION. 

4.  Report  of  result  of  raid  will  be  sent  to  FARADAY  P.  C.  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  after 
completion  of  the  operation. 

5.  No  change  in  Divisional  or  Brigade  P.  C's. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

C.  D.  Herron, 
Chief  of  Staff. 
Official: 

E.  S.  Hates. 

Major,  A.  C.  of  S.  G-3. 


1— C.  G.  78th  Div. 

2— C.  of  S. 

3— G-1 

4— G-2 

5— G-3 

6— Div.  Art.  Off. 

7— Div.  Eng.  Off. 

8— Div.  M.  G.  Off. 

9— Div.  Sig.  Off. 
10— Div.  Gas  Off. 
11 — Div.  Surgeon 
12 — Div.  Adjutant 
13 — Div.  Inspector 
14r— Div.  Q.  M. 
15— Div.  Ord.  Off. 
16— C.  O.  Hq.  Troop 
17— IV  Corps 


DISTRIBUTION: 

18 — War  Diary 
19 — French  Mission 
20— A.  P.  M. 
21— 155th  Brig. 
22— 308th  M.  G.  Bn. 
23— 309th  Inf. 
24— 310th  Inf. 
25— 156th  Brig. 
26— 309th  M.  G.  Bn. 
27— 311th  Inf. 
28— 312th  Inf. 
29— 5th  Art.  Brig. 
30— 19th  Art. 
31— 20th  Art. 
32— 21st  Art. 
33— 5th  T.  M.  Bty. 
34— 303rd  Eng. 


35— 303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 
36— 307th  M.  G.  Bn. 
37— 303rd  Trains. 
38— 303rd  M.  P. 
39— 303id  Supply^Tn. 
40— 303rd  Sanitary  Tn. 
41— 303rd  Eng.  Tn. 
42— 89th  Div. 
43— 90th  Div. 
44— VI  Corps 
45-50  Extra 


The  Limey  Sector  71 

that  our  infantry  doubted  their  existence,  if  nothing  worse,  when 
the  German  aviators  came  down  along  our  lines  spraying  their 
machine  guns,  and  tossing  hand  grenades  down  or  lazily  floating 
around  while  their  artillery  adjusted  their  fire  and  our  men.  impot- 
ently  cursed  or  sniped  at  them  with  rifles  and  trench  mortar  shells 
just  to  feel  that  they  were  at  least  making  a  noise — not  because  they 
seriously  expected  to  harm  the  airmen.  In  verified  cases  on  Sep- 
tember 26th  and  again  on  October  3rd,  the  Germans  flew  in  machines 
bearing  Allied  markings  and  by  this  treacherous  device  were  able 
to  fire  almost  pointblank  on  our  men  without  any  opposition. 

The  enemy  artillery  seemed  to  have  an  especial  "hate"  against 
the  town  of  Thiaucourt,  which  was  comparatively  little  damaged 
when  we  entered  it,  for  he  began  to  shoot  it  to  pieces  systematically, 
perhaps  because  of  the  loot  which  had  been  left  behind  and  which 
was  now  scattered  far  and  wide  for  any  adventurous  or  curious 
"doughboy"  or  machine  gunner  to  pick  up.  Part  of  the  308th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  put  some  of  it  to  very  practical,  but  humor- 
ous use  while  in  support.  For  several  successive  days  groups  of 
men  asked  permission  in  quiet  intervals  to  go  down  to  the  Rupt 
de  Mad  to  wash.  The  practice  soon  became  suspiciously  common, 
so  that  the  lieutenant  in  charge  followed  on  one  day  to  solve  the 
mystery.  He  did.  For  he  found  the  bathing  place  near  some  of 
the  wrecked  houses  and  that  his  husky  machine  gunners  had  dis- 
carded their  issue  underclothes  with  their  loads  of  "cooties"  and 
after  a  good  wash  were  substituting  beribboned  chemises  and  other 
upper  and  lower  female  unmentionables  salvaged  from  the  ruins. 

While  the  health  of  the  men  remained  good  as  a  whole,  the 
sanitary  conditions  in  the  forward  positions  which  were  subject  to 
such  severe  shelling  left  some  things  to  be  desired  at  times.  The 
"doughboys"  whose  main  occupations  during  the  "night  were 
patrolling  and  standing- to"  and  during  the  day,  "digging  and 
dodging"  seemed  to  think  a  hundred  per  cent,  policing  rather  a 
secondary  matter.  A  colonel  visited  the  front  one  day  and  differed 
so  strongly  from  this  point  of  view  that  after  expressing  himself 
verbally  on  the  spot,  he  sent  the  following  scathing  piece  of  free  verse 
up  to  the  front  when  he  got  back  to  where  he  could  sit  down  and  write : 

FROM:   FACE-1. 

AT:  P.  C. 

DATE:    2nd  October,  1918.  HOUR:  3.40  P.M.  NO.  2.  HOW  SENT: 

TO:  FACE-1.  Runner. 

In  order  that  there  may  be  no  misunderstanding  as  to  what  I 
require  with  respect  to  your  outpost  line,  and  pursuant  to  my  verbal 
directions  to  you  this  A.  M.,  I  give  you  herein  precise  statement  of 
what  you  are  to  accomplish  this  date  before  your  relief  to-night. 

You  will  thoroughly  police  the  entire  outpost  line  until  it  is  as 


On  the  JAULNY-THIAUCOURT-BENEY  Road 


f 

s 

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i 

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HbtI 

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Environs  of  THIAUCOURT 


VUlage  of  JAULNY  Northeast  of  THIAUCOURT 


The  Limey  Sector  73 

clean  as  a  parlor  floor  so  far  as  filth,  papers,  tins,  arms,  ammunition, 
equipment  and  so  forth  is  concerned. 

You  will  require  every  man  to  clean  his  weapons  until  all  are 
free  of  red  rust.  You  will  cause  to  be  severely  punished,  any  man  or 
officer  who  is  known  to  defecate  elsewhere  than  in  a  proper  latrine, 
suitably  located  by  you.  Men  deserving  punishment  for  this  or  other 
like  offense  will  be  attached  to  the  relieving  companies  tonight  for 
further  tour  of  duty  in  the  outpost  line. 

An  inspection  by  officers  designated  by  me  will  be  made  of  the 
condition  of  your  line  early  tomorrow  morning.  Any  failure  to 
comply  with  the  instructions  herein  contained  will  not  be  dealt  with 
leniently. 

Gun  oil  goes  forward  to  you  this  P.  M.  and  will  be  distributed 
and  put  in  use  at  once. 

You  will  be  responsible  for  any  equipment  or  trash  left  behind 
by  your  men  when  your  companies  are  relieved.  Any  such  property 
left  behind  will  be  neatly  piled  and  sorted. 

A  report  on  the  condition  of  your  line  will  be  rendered  me 
tomorrow  morning. 

I  advise  you  as  an  inexperienced  officer  to  read  into  this  memo- 
randum a  high  degree  of  seriousness. 

FACE  1. 

Only  a  very  few  refugees  came  into  our  lines  after  we  had 
taken  over  the  sector.  One  party  of  two  old  WQmen  and  an  old 
man  who  had  escaped  the  evacuation  by  the  Germans  by  hiding  in 
Jaulny  passed  through  division  headquarters  on  their  way  to  the 
rear.  They  were  still  badly  panic-stricken  after  their  most  recent 
experiences  and  showed  it  clearly  by  the  fact  that  while  the  man 
had  a  small  bundle  of  clothes  with  him,  all  that  the  women  had 
brought  along  were  two  or  three  extra  hats  to  which  they  clung  as 
though  they  were  the  latest  Parisian  models  instead  of  bedraggled 
wrecks. 

OFFENSIVE   OPERATIONS 

The  work  of  worrying  "Fritz"  was  far  grimmer  than  this 
work  of  organizing  although  the  toll  which  that  exacted  kept  the 
sanitary  detachments  busy  and  gave  little  Chaplain  King  of  the 
310th  Infantry  among  others  of  his  branch  the  chance  to  show  that 
unfailing  devotion  to  the  wounded  and  dead  which  won  for  him  the 
Distinguished  Service  Cross.  The  crushing  surprise  which  the 
Americans  delivered  on  September  12th  had  shaken  the  morale  of 
the  enemy  infantry  and  this  ascendancy  was  kept  up  throughout  the 
occupation  of  the  sector  by  aggressive  patroling  in  "No  Man's 
land"  and  four  more  powerful  raids.  The  patrolling  was  principally 
by  night  on  the  155th  Brigade  front,  although  the  309th  pulled  off 
one  audacious  patrol  through  Rembercourt  in  broad  daylight,   but 


German  barbed  wire  in  "No  Man's  Land"  near  THIAUCOURT 


Interior  of  THIAUCOURT  Church 


Village  of  EUVEZIN  which  marked  left  of  Division  boundary 


The  Limey  Sector  15 

because  of  the  dense  woods  in  front  of  the  156th  Brigade,  consid- 
erable work  was  done  there  in  dayhght.  There  was  also  continual 
sniping,  particularly  on  the  right  subsector. 

The  first  real  offensive  operation  of  the  division  took  place  on 
September  22nd.  Orders  had  come  from  the  Fourth  Corps,  which 
had  taken  over  full  control  of  the  St.  Mihiel  front  on  September 
18th,  the  day  before  to  make  a  raid  that  night  with  a  full  battalion. 
The  time  for  preparation  was  so  short  that  the  assaulting  party 
could  not  be  properly  instructed,  many  details  had  to  be  impro- 
vised and  some  did  not  succeed.  It  was  decided  to  raid  Mon  Plaisir 
Farm,  in  order  to  get  prisoners,  documents  and  easily  portable 
material.  This  farm  was  an  excellent  observation  post  just  inside 
the  Hindenburg  Line  around  which  considerable  activity  had  been 
observed.  The  3rd  Battalion  of  the  310th  was  ordered  to  make  the 
assault  behind  box  and  rolling  barrages  with  a  company  of  engi- 
neers to  cut  the  wire  entanglements  with  bangalore  torpedoes  and 
to  destroy  the  hostile  concrete  dugouts  and  *'pill  boxes."  The 
infantry  were  eager  for  the  chance  to  come  to  grips  and  when  the 
time  came  they  advanced  to  their  objective  on  the  right  and  almost 
to  it  on  the  left,  brushing  aside  all  resistance  and  crossing  the  wire 
somehow,  (unaided  by  the  engineers,  who,  too  much  hurried  in  their 
preparations,  did  not  get  into  position  in  time  to  follow  the  assault- 
ing wave),  and  after  inflicting  severe  casualties  on  the  enemy  reluct- 
antly withdrew  at  the  expiration  of  the  allotted  time.  Then  the 
enemy  came  back  fast  and  inflicted  many  casualties  during  this 
retirement,  using  the  positions  which  the  infantry  had  taken  but 
could  not  destroy,  and  other  machine  gun  posts  on  the  flanks  outside 
of  the  box  barrage.  Eight  prisoners  reached  our  lines,  considerable 
information  was  brought  back  as  to  the  enemy  positions,  and 
although  our  own  losses  were  high,  the  division  had  made  its  first 
attack  with  splendid  spirit  and  dash. 

Almost  before  the  final  reports  on  this  affair  were  written  the 
next  two  raids  were  made.  Field  Orders  issued  on  September 
25th  contained  the  significant  and  startling  announcement  that 
"our  First  Army  in  conjunction  with  Allied  Troops,  will  make  an 
attack  West  of  the  Meuse.  The  Fourth  Army  Corps  will  support 
this  attack  by  making  a  demonstration  along  the  entire  front."  It 
was  the  beginning  of  the  Argonne-Meuse  battle.  It  was  also  ordered 
that  as  a  part  of  this  demonstration  our  artillery  should  conduct  a 
six-hour  bombardment  of  all  enemy  positions  and  targets  before  the 
infantry  demonstration  began.  This  bombardment  began  at  half 
an  hour  before  midnight  on  the  25th  and  lasted  until  the  infantry 
went  over  the  top  at  five-thirty  the  next  morning,  when  it  turned 
into  the  necessary  box  and  rolling  barrages  to  protect  their  advance. 
For  once  the  "doughboys"  could  stay  in  their  trenches  and  listen 
to  the  swishing  overhead  and  the  distant  reports  which  showed 


l-H 


The  Limey  Sector  11 

that  for  once  in  our  stay  the  enemy  was  getting  what  was  long 
overdue.  It  was  decided  that  this  time  the  309th  and  311th  Regi- 
ments should  try  their  hand  in  an  attack. 

The  3rd  Battalion  of  the  309th,  afterwards  called  "Segarra's 
Raiders"  from  their  doughty  leader,  swept  up  a  stretch  of  territory 
in  the  valley  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  through  the  battered  town  of 
Rembercourt-sur-Mad  as  far  as  the  wire  entanglements  of  the 
main  Hindenburg  Line.  The  battalion  attacked  with  one  company 
west  of  the  stream,  one  east  and  the  rest  of  the  battalion  in  support 
near  the  * 'jump-off."  In  addition  to  the  artillery  barrage  there 
was  a  machine  gun  barrage  by  two  platoons  of  the  308th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion.  The  objective  was  reached,  but  few  live  Boche 
were  seen  and  none  of  them  were  worth  bringing  back  shortly  after 
that.  The  town  was  mopped  up  but  nothing  of  great  value  was 
found.  This  raid  was  more  fortunate  than  the  first,  in  that  there 
were  only  one  officer  and  twelve  men  of  the  party  slightly  wounded. 

The  demonstration  which  the  311th  was  making  with  its  First 
Battalion  at  the  same  time  through  the  western  side  of  the  Bois  du 
Troue  de  la  Haie  was  a  very  different  affair.  The  enemy  resisted 
this  advance  which  was  made  without  artillery  barrage  with  his 
machine  guns  in  pill-boxes,  snipers  in  trees  and  an  artillery  counter- 
barrage.  The  outpost  line  was  nevertheless  pushed  forward  to  its 
objective  on  the  left  and  almost  to  it  on  the  right — ^a  maximum 
distance  of  about  400  meters  on  a  front  of  about  1,500  and  on  the 
right  flank  of  the  312th  was  moved  up  to  maintain  liaison.  During 
this  advance,  which  was  completed  about  10.30  in  the  morning, 
a  dozen  machine  gun  nests  were  destroyed  and  their  occupants 
killed  or  captured.  Nine  unwounded  and  three  wounded  prisoners 
were  taken.  The  line  gained  was  held  all  day  under  heavy  fire  of  all 
kinds.  About  5.30  in  the  afternoon  the  enemy  laid  down  a  box 
barrage  on  the  new  line  and  followed  this  by  an  attack.  By  6.30 
the  losses  had  become  so  great  that  it  was  decided  to  withdraw  to 
the  old  line  and  this  was  done  without  any  further  attempt  on  the 
part  of  the  enemy  to  advance. 

The  enemy  became  quieter  after  these  demonstrations;  that 
is  to  say,  they  only  sent  over  from  1,500  to  2,000  shells  a  day,  and 
the  311th  Infantry  actually  got  through  the  twenty -four  hours  of 
October  2nd  without  a  casualty.  The  whole  sector  was  lapsing  into 
"peace-time  warfare,"  and  to  relieve  the  monotony  of  "N.  T.  R." 
{Nothing  to  Report)  the  observation  posts  were  turning  in  such 
things  as  "at  17.05  hours,  a  man  led  a  white  cow  into  a  ravine. 
Suspect  there  are  cookers  there,  as  smoke  has  been  seen."  Corps 
Headquarters  caused  a  mild  flurry  on  the  29th  by  ordering  excep- 
tional patrol  activity  to  determine  whether  a  general  withdrawal 
by  the  enemy,  which  they  had  reason  to  suspect,  was  actually  taking 
place.     Every  regiment  accordingly  sent  out  extra  patrols.     These 


CHAPLAIN  (FATHER)  D.  J.  LYNCH, 

A  78th  Division  Chaplain  in  his  working  togs,  what  a  real  front  line  Chaplain  looks 
like  after  a  stay  in  the  line.     Both  in  the  LIMEY  SECTOR  and   during    the   heavy 
ARGONNE  fighting  our  Chaplains  were  in  the  thick  of  it  for  weeks  at  a  time,  over- 
looking sleep  and  food  in  their  work  of  spiritual  an(d  temporal  aid. 


The  Limey  Sector  79 

unanimously  reported  the  enemy  still  in  position  and  just  as  resent- 
ful of  visits.  None  brought  back  any  prisoners,  until  Lieutenant 
Brewer  of  the  309th  changed  a  working  party  on  a  moment's  notice  into 
a  combat  patrol,  found  a  Boche  post  and  brought  one  of  them  back  to 
confirm  the  fact  that  the  Germans  were  not  disposed  to  retire  that  night. 
The  312th  Regiment  had  all  this  time  been  exploring  its  own 
patches  of  woods,  digging  and  dodging,  like  the  rest  and  becoming 
acquainted  with  the  fighting  qualities  of  its  men  and  officers,  like 
Lieutenant  Horobin,  whose  method  of  keeping  his  men  under  cover 
when  enemy  fire  got  hot  was  said  to  be,  standing  up  himself  and 
throwing  pebbles  at  those  whose  heads  showed.  Now  it  was  their 
turn  to  square  a  part  of  their  accounts  with  the  Germans,  so  it  was 
decided  that  a  little  daylight  raid  should  be  made  on  October  3rd, 
at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  on  an  annoying  machine  gun  nest 
on  a  little  knoll  called  La  Saucisse — the  Sausage.  Accordingly, 
after  a  twenty  minute  artillery  diversion  to  the  east  of  La  Saucisse 
and  a  ten  minute  concentration  on  that  knoll  by  the  supporting 
artillery  battalion,  three  officers  and  fifty-two  men  rushed  the  nest 
inside  a  box  barrage,  captured  three  machine  guns,  seven 
unwounded  and  two  wounded  prisoners  and  returned  with  only 
three  casualties.  Questioning  the  prisoners  brought  out  the  fact 
that  we  had  completely  surprised  and  wiped  out  a  liaison  post 
between  two  German  divisions. 

TRANSFER  TO  MEUSE-ARGONNE  FRONT 

This  was  to  be  the  last  offensive  action  of  the  division  because 
on  the  same  day  orders  were  received  from  the  Corps  relieving  the 
division  the  following  night.*  The  89th  Division  was  to  extend 
eastward  to  relieve  the  155th  Brigade,  the  90th  was  to  extend  west- 
ward and  relieve  the  156th  Brigade,  while  our  own  153rd  Artillery 
Brigade  and  303rd  Ammunition  Train  were  to  rejoin  the  division. 
The  rumor  spread  fast  outside  of  division  headquarters  that  we  were 
going  out  of  the  line  for  a  "rest,"  but  headquarters  was  not  laboring 
under  any  such  delusion.  They  knew  we  were  headed  for  the 
Argonne  and  without  delay,  for  somebody  higher  up  had  ordered 
the  division  to  do  an  almost  impossible  feat  of  marching.  The 
attention  of  Corps  Headquarters  was  called  to  the  fact  that  the  foot 
troops  in  the  front  line  were  called  upon  to  make  a  front  line  relief 
and  march  thirty -five  kilometers  into  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  between 
dark  and  six  in  the  morning,  only  to  follow  this  up  at  once  by  two 
more  long  night  marches.  Corps  could  not  change  the  orders,  so 
the  division  set  out,  as  one  staff  officer  said,  "to  do  the  impossible 
and  damn  near  succeeded." 

The  withdrawal  began  on  the  night  of  the  3rd  with  the  relief 
of  machine  gun  units,  the  replacement  of  infantry  reserve  units 

*See  F.  O.  No.  17,  P.  C.  78th  Division,  October  3,  1918. 


6 
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The  Limey  Sector  81 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 
3rd  October,  1918. 

SECRET 

FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  17. 

Maps:  THIAUCOURT— 1/50,000. 
COMMERCY— 1/80,000. 

1.  Pursuant  to  Field  Order  No.  34,  Headquarters  IV  Corps,  the  78th  Division  will  be  relieved 
in  the  LIMEY  SECTOR  by  elements  of  the  89th  Division  and  90th  Division  on  the  nights  of  3/4th  and 
4/5th  October,  1918. 

2.  The  relief  will  commence  at  21  hours,  3rd  October,  1918,  and  completed  by  23  hours,  4th 
October,  1918.  Units  of  the  78th  Division  will  march  to  destination  as  indicated  in  accompanying 
march  table. 

3.  (a)  The  155th  Infantry  Brigade  (now  holding  left  sub-sector),  will  be  relieved  by  elements 
of  the  89th  Division. 

The  Machine  Guns  of  the  155th  Infantry  Brigade  will  be  relieved  by  the  340th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion  on  the  night  of  3/4th  October,  1918,  at  21  hours.  The  Infantry  of  the  155th  Brigade  will  be 
relieved  by  the  356th  Infantry  Regiment  on  the  night  of  4th  October,  1918,  at^20  hours. 

(b)  The  156th  Infantry  Brigade  (now  holding  right  sub-sector),  will  be  relieved  by  elements  of 
the  90th  Division. 

The  358th  Infantry  will  relieve  the  156th  Brigade  on  4th  October,  1918,  under  arrangements  made 
by  C.  G.  156th  Brigade  and  C.  G.  179th  Brigade. 

(c)  The  following  personnel  will  be  left  with  the  incoming  troops  for  24  hours  after  command  passes : 

1  Brigade  Staff  Officer  from  155th  Brigade  to  89th  Division  Headquarters. 

1  Brigade  Staff  Officer  from  156th  Brigade  to  90th  Division  Headquarters. 

1  Regimental  Staff  Officer  from  155th  Brigade  to  178th  Brigade. 

1  Regimental  Staff  Officer  from  156th  Brigade  to  179th  Brigade. 

1  Battalion  Staff  Officer  to  each  of  the  Incoming  Battalions. 

1  Company  Officer  to  each  of  the  Incoming  Companies. 

1  N.  C.  O.  to  each  of  the  Incoming    Platoons. 

1  Artillery  Officer  from  5th  F.  A.  Brigade  to  164th  F.  A.  Brigade. 

(d)  All  plans,  maps,  and  other  papers  pertaining  to  the  sector,  will  be  turned  over  to  the  incoming 
troops. 

(e)  Proper  officers  of  special  units  (Signal  troops.  Engineer  troops.  Medical  troops,  etc.)  will  at 
once  confer  with  corresponding  officers  of  the  89th  and  90th  Divisions,  and  arrange  for  turning  over  these 
services. 

(f)  Every  precaution  will  be  taken  to  prevent  the  enemy's  discovering  the  fact  that  a  relief  is  to 
take  place  or  is  taking  place.  There  will  be  no  increase  of  traffic  during  daylight  and  all  movements  of 
ti  oops  and  vehicles  will  be  made  quietly  at  night. 

(g)  The  details  of  the  relief  of  the  153rd  F.  A.  Brigade  by  the  5th  F.  A.  Brigade  will  be  effected 
by  mutual  arrangements  between  Artillery  Commanders. 

4.  Instructions  regarding  stores,  property,  supplies,  etc.,  will  be  covered^in  administrative  orders, 

5.  Command  will  pass  as  indicated  below: 
Battalion — upon  completion  of  relief. 
Regimental — upon  completion  of  relief. 

Left  Sub-Sector— at  23  hours,  4th  October,  1918. 
Right  Sub-Sector— at  23  hours,  4th  October,  1918. 
LIMEY  SECTOR— at  23  hours,  4th  October,  1918. 
Command  of  the  5th  F.  A.  Brigade  will  pass  to  C.  G.  90th  Division  at  23  hours,  4th  October,  1918. 

6.  P.  C.  78th  Division  will  close  at  present  location  at  10  hours,  5th  October,  1918,  and  will  open 
at  GIRONVILLE  on  same  date  and  hour. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

C.  D.  Hereon, 
Chief  of  Staff. 


82  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

by  those  which  were  to  relieve  the  front  line  battalions  the  next 
night  and  the  march  of  the  303rd  Engineers,  the  307th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  the  machine  gun  units  of  the  155th  Brigade  and 
the  four  battalions  which  were  in  brigade  and  division  reserve  to 
the  Foret  de  la  Reine. 

The  next  night  it  was  another  story.  The  front  line  battalion 
of  the  311th  got  only  as  far  as  the  Bois  des  Grandes  Portions  before 
bivouacking  under  cover  for  the  day,  while  the  rest  of  the  regiment 
reached  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  on  time.  The  310th  began  its  relief 
soon  after  dark,  but  the  last  elements  of  the  regiment  did  not  clear 
Thiaucourt  until  4.00  hours  on  the  5th.  Needless  to  say  they  had 
not  cleared  the  Bois  d'Euvezin  by  dawn,  but  since  there  was  a 
heavy  mist,  the  regiment  pushed  steadily  until  it  reached  the  Foret 
de  la  Reine  badly  fatigued  and  hungry.  The  309th  had  even  worse 
luck  because  its  relief  was  so  delayed  by  enemy  fire  and  some  con- 
fusion as  to  the  roads  the  relieving  units  were  to  follow  that  *'D" 
Company  could  not  get  out  of  the  extreme  front  line  at  all  and  had 
to  wait  for  the  next  night.  The  rest  of  the  regiment  was  shelled  on 
its  way  out  and  only  reached  the  Bois  d'Euvezin,  where  it  halted 
during  the  day. 

The  foot  troops  moved  from  wherever  they  were  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  5th  to  Mecrin,  a  long,  hard  march  through  the  mud  and 
rain  which  would  have  been  hard  for  fresh  troops  and  was  almost 
too  much  for  men  just  out  of  a  hard  sector.  The  next  march  began 
in  the  morning,  was  as  long  as  the  others  in  distance  and  even  worse 
for  the  torture  of  it.  The  156th  Brigade  moved  on  through  Cam- 
pigny  and  Menil  to  Pierrefitte  and  when  their  column  had  passed, 
the  155th  Brigade  followed  on  to  Nicey.  There  they  dropped  into 
the  mud — such  as  had  been  able  to  stumble  on  that  far  in  the  rain — 
and  slept  until  the  French  trucks  with  their  Chinese  drivers  and 
childishly  methodical  officers  arrived  to  pack  them  in  and  trundle 
them  over  the  last  stage  of  the  trip. 

The  Division  had  originally  been  withdrawn  from  the  line  in 
order  to  become  First  Army  Reserve,  attached  to  the  Third  Corps 
and  was  to  march  to  Nixeville  area  just  west  of  Verdun.  These 
orders  were  amended  by  telephone  about  13.00  hours  on  October 
5th,  while  Division  Headquarters  were  at  Gironville  where  they  had 
moved  from  Loge  Mangin.  The  new  orders  which  finally  arrived 
shifted  us  to  the  western  flank  of  the  American  Army  and  we  headed 
for  the  Clermont  area  in  the  southern  part  of  the  Argonne  Forest. 
Headquarters  jumped  ahead  to  Benoite  Vaux,  an  ancient  convent 
and  village,  on  the  6th,  and  to  Beauchamp  Ferme  on  the  7th. 

The  horse  transport  column  moved  out  of  the  St.  Mihiel 
region  on  the  5th  and  6th,  going  to  Pierrefitte  via  Apremont  and 
St.  Mihiel.  The  next  day  it  continued  its  weary  way  to  the 
Clermont  area  via  Amblainville-St.  Andre-Ippecourt-Ville-sur-Cou- 


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OR 


84  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

sances  and  Jubecourt.  It  did  not  arrive  at  its  destination  until 
October  9th.  While  on  the  road  some  modern  type  of  Diogenes 
went  looking  around  a  gasoline  tank  with  a  lighted  match,  and 
having  better  luck  than  the  old  Greek  in  his  search  for  an  honest 
man,  blew  himself  up,  and  at  the  same  time  cut  down  the  311th 
transport  animals  by  twenty-two.  Fortunately  none  of  the  311th 
men  were  injured. 

The  motorized  machine  gun  battalion  and  other  motor  trans- 
port except  the  Supply  Train  which  moved  on  the  orders  of  the 
Division  Quartermaster,  left  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  at  19  hours, 
October  5th,  staged  overnight  at  Saulx  on  the  5th,  at  Rumont  on 
the  6th,  and  reached  its  destination  at  Camp  Chillaz  on  October 
7th. 

The  Artillery  Brigade  and  Ammunition  Train  moved  from  the 
Puvenelle  sector  by  way  of  Regnieville-Euvezin-Pannes-Nonsard 
to  the  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere  and  Bois  d'Euvezin.  This  column 
moved  on  through  the  same  wretched  weather  as  the  infantry  and 
horse  transport  by  way  of  Troyon-sur-Meuse-Souilly-Ippecourt- 
Fleury-Waly  and  Brizeau  to  Futeau,  which  was  reached  on  the  9th. 
The  brigade  had  never  had  its  full  complement  of  animals  and  had 
lost  many  from  sickness  while  in  the  line.  Consequently  the  work 
of  moving  the  guns  and  caissons  was  doubly  hard  upon  the  remaining 
beasts  and  both  animals  and  men  were  badly  in  need  of  a  rest  when 
they  reached  the  Futeau  region  west  of  the  area  in  which  the  infantry 
were  camped. 

The  feelings  of  misery  and  overwhelming  fatigue  which  all 
members  of  the  division  experienced  at  this  time  can  best  be  illus- 
trated by  the  desperate  answer  which  Lieutenant  Devine  of  the 
308th  Field  Artillery  gave  an  angry  major-general  en  route.  Devine 
was  struggling  along  with  part  of  his  battery  through  the  mud  and 
rain  one  night  when  the  battery  cooker,  showing  less  resistance  than 
a  human  being,  collapsed  in  a  hopeless  fashion,  blocking  the  whole 
road.  While  he  was  looking  at  the  wreck  and  wondering  where 
the  hot  rations  and  coffee  for  his  men  were  going  to  come  from 
without  a  cooker,  a  limousine  rolled  up  and  was  stopped  by  the 
wreck.  An  angry  head  popped  out  of  the  window  and  demanded  to 
know  who  was  in  command  of  this  battery.  Devine  presented 
himself  and  saw  he  was  talking  to  a  major  general.  The  latter 
hotly  asked  what  he  meant  by  blocking  the  road,  and  without 
waiting  for  an  answer  shouted:  "Young  man,  instead  of  being  in 
command  of  a  battery,  you  ought  to  be  in  jail!"  A  vision  of  a 
warm,  dry  building  with  a  bunk,  dry  clothes,  no  mud,  hot  meals, 
and  no  responsibility  for  weary,  hungry  "redlegs"  passed  through 
Devine's  mind.  Then  he  drew  himself  up,  and  said:  "Sir,  I  wish  to 
God  I  was  in  jail!"    And  the  general  went  on. 

The  foot  troops,  after  the  bus  movement  along  the  famous 


86  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

highway  over  which  Verdun  had  been  suppHed  during  the  heroic 
defense  in  1916,  had  reached  their  destinations  on  the  7th  in  the 
woods  and  temporary  barracks  around  Beauchamp  Ferme  west  of 
Clermont.  There  they  spent  the  8th  and  9th  resting,  cleaning  and 
refitting.  Most  of  the  155th  Brigade  and  part  of  the  156th  were 
given  a  bath  and  some  clean  clothing  before  the  orders  arrived  for  a 
movement  into  the  Argonne  Forest,  west  of  Montblainville  on 
October  10th. 

With  the  arrival  of  that  order,  another  chapter,  the  most 
vital  of  all  in  the  division's  history  begins.  The  men  who  had 
crawled  into  the  French  'busses  around  Chatenois  on  the  10th  of 
September  as  raw  troops,  a  month  later  knew  what  war  was.  They 
had  taken  over  a  sector  which  such  fighting  men  as  the  Second 
Division  were  glad  to  get  out  of,  and  had  organized  it  in  the  face  of 
an  enemy  occupying  prepared  positions,  well  supplied  with  artillery, 
possessed  of  superior  observation  and  maintaining  air  supremacy. 
Their  spirit  had  been  unshaken  by  continuous  day  and  night  fire  of 
all  kinds,  which  caused  serious  losses  before  the  defensive  works 
were  suflficiently  advanced  to  afford  good  shelter.  They  established 
a  personal  supremacy  over  the  enemy  infantry  and  reduced  them 
to  a  passive  defence.  The  staff  work  had  become  smoother  and 
accustomed  to  changes  in  personnel,  for  while  in  the  Limey  Sector, 
Colonel  Charles  D.  Herron  had  succeeded  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Cootes  as  Chief  of  Staff,  and  Colonel  Patrick  Guiney  and  Major 
R.  P.  Lemly  had  turned  over  the  important  posts  of  Division 
Quartermaster  and  Ordnance  Ofiicer  to  Major  Kruttschnitt  and 
Captain  Mitchell.  After  three  weeks  of  this  severe  testing  in  com- 
bat, the  division  had  come  through  the  strain  of  a  prolonged  forced 
march  in  a  manner  reflecting  the  highest  praise  upon  the  discipline, 
courage  and  stamina  of  both  officers  and  men.  They  were  ready 
now  for  the  even  more  important  and  dangerous  mission  upon 
which  they  were  to  set  out  the  morning  of  October  10th. 


CHAPTER   V. 


MEUSE-ARGONNE  OFFENSIVE 


HE  AMERICAN  success  in  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient  demon- 
strated the  possibility  of  ending  the  war  before  winter  by 
one  great  offensive  against  the  shaken  enemy  forces.  The 
Allied  High  Command  determined,  therefore,  to  with- 
draw part  of  the  American  Army  from  St.  Mihiel,  to 
re-enforce  it  with  fresh  divisions,  and  to  use  them  in  a 
speeded  effort  to  smash  the  German  lines  of  communica- 
tion between  Sedan  and  Montmedy.  Through  these 
places  ran  a  railroad  line  skirting  the  Argonne  to  the 
north,  which  handled  nearly  one-half  of  the  supplies  and 
troop  movements  of  the  Germans.  This  road  was  the  jugular  vein 
of  their  system  of  supply  and  it  had  to  be  cut. 

So,  immediately  after  the  St.  Mihiel  drive,  while  the  78th 
Division  was  consolidating  the  positions  in  the  Limey  Sector,  many 
of  the  American  divisions  in  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient  were  relieved 
and  sent  north  where  the  First  American  Army  took  over  from  the 
French  the  sector  between  the  Meuse  and  La  Harozee.  The  Amer- 
ican divisions  in  this  sector,  in  line  and  in  reserve,  at  the  beginning 
of  this  great  battle,  September  26th,  formed  in  columns  of  route 
would  stretch  477  miles  and  require  twenty-four,  eight-hour  days  to 
pass  in  review.  In  addition  to  these,  there  were  French  Artillery 
units  and  various  Corps  and  Army  troops.  Preparations  for  the 
battle  were  made  with  great  speed.  It  was  well  nigh  impossible  to 
entirely  conceal  the  movement  in  rear  areas  from  the  enemy — the 
time  of  preparation  was  so  short — the  forces  invoved  so  great. 
Prisoners  taken  during  the  drive  said  they  had  expected  the  attack 
the  25th.    The  attack  actually  occurred  the  26th. 

The  Argonne-Meuse  front  is  characterized  by  its  difficult 
terrain;  heavily  wooded,  high  hills,  and  long,  narrow  valleys  along 
which  the  progress  of  any  considerable  body  of  troops  was  exceed- 
ingly difficult.  The  roads  were  few  and  bad.  The  western  part  of 
this  front,  in  and  along  the  Argonne  Forest,  was  the  worst.  In 
short,  this  was  one  of  the  wildest  regions  of  France,  densely  forested, 
with  deep  ravines,  and  roads  that  were  nothing  more  than  wood- 
land trails.  Such  a  country  was  admirably  suited  for  defense  and 
most  difficult  for  offensive  action  of  infantry  and  tanks,  which  had 
for  sortie  time  been  the  principal  tactical  offensive  combination  of 
the  Allies.     These  natural  defenses  had  been  thoroughly  organized 


>■ 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  89 

by  the  Germans.  The  Hindenburg  Line  was  a  completely  organ- 
ized trench  system — the  development  of  four  years  of  trench  war- 
fare. Every  hillside  was  honeycombed  with  dugouts  where  reserves 
of  men  and  supplies  could  be  kept  with  safety.  Cleverly  concealed, 
narrow-gauge  railways  ran  almost  up  to  the  front  lines. 

In  rear  of  the  Hindenburg  Line  ran  the  Kriemhilde-Stellung, 
from  Grandpre  —  Champigneulle  —  St.  Georges  and  Romagne,  to 
Brilles-sur-Meuse — less  completely  organized,  but  of  tremendous 
natural  strength.  Along  the  portion  of  this  line  where  the  78th 
Division  fought,  the  Germans  had  the  advantage  of  high  ground 
and  excellent  cover,  while  our  troops  had  to  advance  across  open 
country,  up-hill  with  a  broad,  open  river  flat  at  their  backs,  and 
across  which  all  supplies  had  to  be  brought.  Between  the  Kriem- 
hilde-Stellung and  Sedan,  another  defensive  line  had  been  staked 
out  and  some  little  work  had  been  done,  but  no  serious  obstacles 
were  to  be  expected  after  forcing  the  Kriemhilde  until  the  line  of 
the  Meuse  River  was  reached. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26th  of  September,  the  battle  of  the 
Argonne  began.  The  Americans  attacked  over  a  front  of  eighteen 
miles,  with  nine  divisions  in  line.  The  artillery  preparation  was 
very  heavy,  and  despite  the  difficulties  of  terrain  and  position,  a 
very  considerable  breach  was  made  in  the  enemy's  positions.  By 
night  of  the  27th,  the  line  ran  fairly  straight  from  Dannevoux  to 
Montblainville — a  gain  of  about  four  and  one-half  miles.  This 
was  nearly  halfway  to  the  Germans'  second  withdrawal  line,  the 
Kriemhilde-Stellung. 

In  the  days  immediately  succeeding,  however,  the  gains  were 
small.  The  impetuosity  of  the  American  advance  had  left  much 
to  be  done  in  the  way  of  "mopping  up"  and  consolidating  the  ground 
won.  Moreover,  the  Germans  thoroughly  alarmed,  and  alive  to  the 
importance  of  this  part  of  their  line,  took  the  strongest  counter 
measures.  To  their  four  divisions  already  on  this  front  were  added 
five  on  the  27th,  three  on  the  28th,  and  one  on  the  29th,  drawn  in 
many  cases  from  other  parts  of  the  line  and  largely  composed  of 
good  quality  troops. 

A  week  after  the  start  of  the  Argonne-Meuse  offensive,  the 
78th  Division  was  relieved  from  the  Limey  Sector.  The  relief 
began  on  the  night  of  October  3-4,  and  was  completed  the  following 
night.  At  the  same  time,  the  153rd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  and  the 
303rd  Ammunition  Train,  which  had  not  been  with  the  division 
since  leaving  Camp  Dix,  were  relieved  from  active  duty  with  the 
90th  Division  in  the  Puvenelle  Sector,  which  was  just  south  of  the 
Limey  Sector. 

The  Division  was  assembled  in  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  after  the 
relief.  This  necessitated  a  march  of  eighteen  to  twenty-two  miles 
for  some  of  the  units  in  the  outpost  line.     From  the  Foret  de  la 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  91 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 

9th  October,  1918. 
23:00  Hours. 

SECRET 
FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  22. 
Maps:  ARGONNE— 1/50,000. 
VERDUN— 1/80,000. 
BAR  LE  DUG— 1/80,000. 

1.  The  78th  Division,  (less  Artillery  Brigade)  will  move  by  marching,  as  indicated  in  accompany- 
ing march  table,  to  Area  vacated  by  28th  Division,  West  of  MONTBLAINVILLE. 

2.  In  moving  along  used  roads,  troops  will  march  in  column  of  two  or  files  in  such  manner  that 
traffic  will  not  be  interfered  with.  Distance  of  one  kilometer  between  regiments  will  be  maintained. 
Transport  and  trains  will  move  in  groups  of  twenty  (20)  vehicles,  with  fifty  (50)  meters  between  groups. 

FIELD  AND  COMBAT  TRAINS  WILL  ACCOMPANY  UNITS. 
STRICT  ROAD  DISCIPLINE  WILL  BE  MAINTAINED. 

3.  THE  LEADING  INFANTRY  Brigade  will  complete  its  march  on  10th  October,  1918.  The 
remaining  units  will  camp  for  the  night  10/11  October,  1918,  near  LA  CHALADE  and  complete  the 
march  on  11th  October,  1918.  ROAD  WILL  BE  LEFT  ENTIRELY  FREE  OF  PERSONNEL  AND 
TRANSPORT  WHEN  TROOPS  GO  INTO  CAMP. 

Camp  Sites  in  area  West  of  MONTBLAINVILLE  will  be  assigned  to  units  of  the  156th  Brigade  by 
the  Commanding  General  156th  Brigade. 

Camp  Sites  in  vicinity  of  LA  CHALADE  will  be  assigned  to  155th  Brigade  and  remaining  units 
of  the  Division  by  the  C.  G.  155th  Brigade. 

4.  RAILHEAI>-No  change. 

DISTRIBUTING  POINTS:  155th  Brigade,  and  other  troops  not  listed— Oct.  10,  LA  CHALADE. 

Oct.  11,  and  thereafter. 

Road  Triangle  at  99.74. 

156th  Brigade —  Oct.  10,  and  thereafter. 

Road  Triangle  at  99.74. 

Division  Hdqrs.  and  Headquarters  Troop — Oct.  10,  and  thereafter, 

at  VARRENNES. 

Officers  in  charge  of  Brigade  dumps  and  Division  group  dump,  will  remain  in  charge  of  same  until 
further  orders. 

All  organizations  disposing  of  motor  transportation  will  unload  all  trucks  immediately  upon  arrival 
at  LA  CHALADE  or  other  destination,  and  report  them  back  to  Railhead  to  Lieut.  Wagner  for  rations. 

Brigade  Adjutants  will  proceed  as  instructed. 

Ambulance  Posts  will  be  established  at  LA  CHALADE  and  at  993.725  at  Military  Police  Post, 

5.  P.  C's.  as  follows 

78th  Division  close  at  BEAUCHAMP  FME,  at  15  hours,  10th  October,  1918,  and  open  at  VAR- 
ENNES  on  same  date  and  hour. 

156th  Brigade  close  at  present  location  at  12  noon,  10th  October,  1918,  and  open  at  CAMP  BOUZON 
(1  Km.  Southwest  of  MONTBLAINVILLE)  on  same  date  and  hour. 

155th  Brigade  close  at  present  location  at  15  hours,  10th  October,  1918,  and  open  at  LA  CHALADE 
on  same  date  and  hour. 

Immediate  report  will  be  made  to  Division  P.  C.  when  movement  is  completed. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

C.  D.  Herron, 
Chief  of  Stafif. 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  93 

Reine,  the  division  moved  in  four  columns — that  is,  along  four 
different  roads — to  the  Clermont  Area  in  the  Argonne  Forest. 
This  march  from  the  Limey  Sector  to  the  Argonne  will  never  be 
forgotten.  Men  started,  tired  and  nearly  exhausted  from  a  three 
weeks'  strenuous  tour  in  the  line  which  had  also  been  their  first 
experience  there.  Many  were  suffering  from  the  effects  of  gas  and 
dysentery.  The  march  continued  for  three  days  and  nights  with 
only  occasional  rests  of  a  few  hours.  The  necessity  for  haste  made 
longer  stops  impossible.  The  division  that  camped  in  the  Clermont 
Area  on  the  7th  of  October  was  a  body  of  footsore,  tired,  dirty  and 
hungry  men.  Two  days  were  spent  here,  and  some  of  the  men  had 
an  opportunity  to  get  a  bath,  clean  clothes  and  plenty  of  good  hot  food. 

On  October  10th,  the  division  moved  further  north  into  the 
Argonne.*  That  night  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade  bivouacked  near 
Camp  Boucon  and  the  155th  Infantry  Brigade  on  the  wooded 
slopes  west  of  La  Chalade,  where  shortly  after  halting  some  of  the 
cooks  attempted  to  prepare  a  hot  evening  meal  and  were  pro- 
gressing nicely  when  a  squadron  of  "Fritz"  bombers  were  attracted 
to  the  vicinity,  several  terriffic  crashes  followed  the  landing  of 
bombs,  which  fortunately  were  poorly  directed,  and  the  loss  incurred 
was  the  anticipated  hot  meal  and  two  animals  on  the  picket  line. 
The  division,  less  Artillery  Brigade,  was  now  in  close  reserve  and 
alerted,  ready  to  move  on  one  hour's  notice,  with  Division  Post  of 
Command  in  the  ancient  town  of  Varennes. 

The  days  spent  here  gave  opportunity  for  much  needed  rest. 
During  the  afternoon  of  October  14th,  over  fourteen  hundred 
infantry  replacements  from  the  86th  Division  were  received.  They 
were  fine,  upstanding  men  of  good  calibre,  but  lacking  in  both 
training  and  experience.  No  time  was  lost  in  assigning  them  to 
companies  and  during  that  night  and  the  following  day  our  own 
veterans  gave  them  intensive  training  in  attack  deployment.  Our 
own  153rd  Artillery  Brigade,  commanded  by  Brigadier  General 
Clint  T.  Hearn,  and  303rd  Ammunition  Train,  which  had  been 
marching  from  the  Puvenelle  Sector,  joined  the  division  on  October 
10th  at  Futeau.  Division  P.  C.  moved  from  Varrennes  to  Le  Menil 
Ferme  at  midnight  on  the  12th.  The  156th  Brigade  bivouacked 
about  a  mile  south  of  La  Viergette,  the  155th  Brigade  and  the 
Artillery  Brigade  near  Apremont. 

About  noon,  October  15th,  orders  from  First  Army  Corps 
Headquarters  reached  Division  Headquarters,  directing  the  78th 
Division  to  relieve  the  77th  Division  that  night,  f  The  77th  was 
operating  in  the  Grandpre-St.  Juvin  sector  on  a  front  of  three  and 
one-half  miles.  The  relief  was  ordered  to  be  completed  by  6  A.  M. 
October  16th.  The  155th  Infantry  Brigade,  commanded  by 
Brigadier  General  Mark  L.  Hersey,  and  composed  of  309th-310th 

*See  F.  O.  No.  22,  P.  C.  78th  Division,  9  October,  1918. 

tSee  F.  O.  No.  25th,  P.  C.  78th  Division,  15  October,  1918. 


Uui  men  in  possession  of  the  GRAND  1*11K  railroad  sLaion. 


Road  leading  out  of  YARBNNES  with  notable  group  of  German  war  huts 
oii  the  hillside. 


A  study  in  expression,  receiving  mail  from  home  during  a  lull  in  the  fighting. 


96 


History  oj  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 
*  11  October,  1918. 

SECRET 

FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  24. 
Maps:  Same  as  for  Field  Order  No.  23 

1.  The  78th  Division  will  move  forward  via  the  main  ridge  road  in  the  FORET  D'ARGONNE  to 
camps  as  indicated  below: 

156th  Infantry  Brigade  to  BOIS  DE  CORNAY  (southwest  of  CORN  AY). 
155th  Infantry  Brigade  to  BOIS  DE  CHATEL  (wC^st  of  CHATEL  CHEHERY). 
303rd  Engineers  I  Camp  in 

303rd^Sanitary  Train  )  Woods  South 

307th  Machine^Gun  Bn.  )  of  155tb  Infantry 

303rd  Trains  and  M.  P.  I  Brigade. 

2.  In  case  roads  are  found  impassable  for  transportation,  vehicles  may  move  in  small  groups  in 
the  BAULNY-FLEVILLE  roads  to  destinations.  Such  movement  to  be  made  under  the  supervision 
of  the  C.  O.  Headquarters  Train  and  M.  P. 

3.  All  roads  to  East  and  North  of  the  new  camps,  and  all  river  crossings  between  APREMONT 
and  GRAND-PRE  will  be  reconnoitered. 

On  reaching  camps,  the  troops  will  be  held  under  cover  and  prepared  to  move  into  action,  or  to 
occupy  the  defensive  position,  GRAND  PRE,  CORNAY-FLEVILLE. 

4.  Changes  in  aidtaiinistrative  details  will  be  announced  when  necessary. 

5.  P.  C's.  as  follows: 

78th  Division — No  change. 
156th  Brigade— Near  cross-roads  96.3-81.3. 
155th  Brigade — Near  cross-roads  96.8-78.8. 
Brigades  and  separate  organization  commanders  will  order  necessary  preliminary  reconnaissances. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 


C.  D.  Hereon, 

Chief    of  Staff. 


DISTRIBUTION: 

Same  as  for  Field  Order  No.  23,  78th  Division,  October  10th,  1918. 


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One  of  our  machine  gun  crews  concealed  in  this  dark  doorway  did  valiant 
work  against  the  enemy 


This  part  of  GRAND  PRE  was  badly  wrecked  in  the  fighting  of  Oct.  17-18-19 


'■^i  1-.^ 


Dwellings  on  the  outskirts  of  GRAND  PRE  suffered  same  as  those  in  the 

town  proper 


102  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

p.  C.  78th  Division, 
15th  October,  1918. 
15:30  Hours. 
SECRET 

FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  25. 
Maps:  BUZANCY— 1/20,000. 
VOUZIERS— 1/20,000. 

1.  Pursuant  to  instructions  from  the  I  Corps,  the  78th  Division,  (less  Artillery  Brigade),  will 
relieve  the  77th  Division  in  its  present  sector,  on  the  night  of  the  15/16th  October,  1918,  under  arrange- 
ments made  by  the  C.  G.  77th  Division. 

2.  (a)  The  77th  Division  holds  its  sector  with  the  153rd  Infantry  Brigade  on  the  right,  and  the 
154th  Infantry  Brigade  on  the  left. 

(b)  The  153rd  Infantry  Brigade  holds  its  brigade  subsector  with  the  305th  Infantry  on  the  right, 
and  the  306th  Infantry  on  the  left. 

(c)  The  154th  Infantry  Brigade  holds  its  Brigade  subsector  with  the  308th  Infantry  on  the  right, 
and  the  307th  Infantry  on  the  left. 

(d)  The  flank  regiment  on  each  Brigade  furnishes  one  battalion  of  infantry'as  BrigadeiReservCj 
and  the  interior  regiment  of  each  Brigade  furnished  one  battalion  of  infantry  for  division  reserve. 

(e)  The  Divisional  Machine  Gun  Battalion  is  also  in  Division  Reserve. 

(f)  Latest  information  places  P.  C.'s  as  follows: 
P.  C.  77th  Division  at  CHATEL  CHEHERY. 
P.  C.  153rd  Infantry  Brigade  at  LA  BESOGNE. 

P.  C.  154th  Infantry  Brigade  at  LA  MALASSISE  FME. 

P.  C.  305th  Infantry  at  96.6-81.6. 

P.  C.  306th  Infantry  at  CORNAY. 

P.  C.  307th  Infantry  at  CHEVIERES. 

P.  C.  308th  Infantry  at  LA  MALASSISE  FME. 

P.  C.  Division  Reserve  at  LA  BESOGNE. 

(g)  BOUNDARIES  OF  SECTOR  now  held  by  77th  Division: 

EAST  (Right)  BOUNDARY:  ST.  JUVIN  (inclusive)— COTE  182  (inclusive)— Eastern 
edge  of  the  BOIS  DES  LOGES— RESILLE  FME.  (exclusive). 

WEST  (Left)  BOUNDARY:  GRAND-PRE  (inclusive)— TALMA  (inclusive)— HAUTS 
BATIS  FME.  (inclusive)— BOULT  AUX  BOIS  (inclusive). 

INTER-BRIGADE  BOUNDARY,  (from  North  to  South)— Meridan  292— Hill  230— Hill 
220— FME.  DES  LOGES  (to  Right  Brigade)— CHEVIERES. 

3.  (a)     The  156th  Infantry  Brigade  will  relieve  the  153rd  Infantry  Brigade. 

(b)  The  155th  Infantry  Brigade  will  relieve  the  154th  Infantry  Brigade. 

(c)  The  153rd  F.  A.  Brigade  will  relieve  the  152nd  F.  A.  Brigade  on  the  night  of  16/17th  October, 
1918. 

(d)  All  concerned  will  make  the  necessary  reconnaissance  at  once  (down  to  and  including  i  officei 
from  each  Company  and  1  N.  C.  O.  from  each  platoon).  Special  services  (Engineers,  Signals,  Medical, 
etc.)  will  confer  at  once  with  their  corresponding  number  in  the  77th  Division  with  a  view  to  taking  over 
the  corresponding  service. 

(e)  Each  organization  will  report  to  the  next  higher  commander  upon  completion  of  the  relief. 
This  report  will  cover  the  following  points: 

(1)  Disposition  of  units  down  to  and  including  battalions. 

(2)  Location  of  P.  C. 

(3)  Location  of  front  line  and  how  held. 

(4)  Location,  composition  and  name  and  organization  of  commander  of  combat  liaison 

groups. 

(5)  Casualties  during  relief. 

(x)  The  Divisional  Reserve,  consisting  of  one  battalion  of  infantry  from  each  Infantry  Brigade.^and 
307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  will  take  over  the  present  position  of  the  77th  Divisional  Reserve.  Lieut. 
Colonel  A.  D.  Budd,  311th  Infantry,  will  assume  command  of  the  Divisional  Reserve  at  6  hours. 

(y)    ALL  MAPS,  ORDERS,  ETC.,  WILL  BE  TAKEN  OVER  BY  INCOMING  UNITS. 


^  --^JWi  f'f.f] 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive 


105 


4.  ADMINISTRATIVE  INSTRUCTIONS  LATER: 

Immediate  report  will  be  made  of  any  shortages  of  necessary  trench  and  sector  stores  in  the  area 
to  be  occupied. 

5.  Command  will  f  ass  at  i6  Hour :>,  I  th  October,  iQiS. 
POSTS  OF  COMMAND. 

That  of  corresponding  units  of  the  77th  Division  throughout,  except  in  case  of  78th  DIVISION  P.  C, 
which  remains  in  its  present  location. 

Later  should  it  be  considered  desirable,  P.  C's.,  may  be  changed  with  the  approval  of  the  next 
higher  commander,  in  which  case,  the  new  location  will  be  reported  to  the  oflBce  of  G-3  at  once. 

The  Division  Commander  expects  all  concerned  to  effect  this  relief  in  the  prompt  and  efficient 
manner  which  characterized  our  last  entry  into  the  line. 

RELIEF  WILL  BE  COMPLETED  BY  6  HOURS. 

It  will  be  borne  in  mind  by  all  that  higher  authority  may  order  a  continuation  tomorrow  morning 
of  the  present  offensive. 


By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 


Official: 

E.  S.  Hayes, 
Lieut.  Col. 


C.  D.  Herron, 
Chief  of  Staff. 


G-S. 


DISTRIBUTION: 


Bn. 


Brig. 


1— C.  G.  78th  Div. 

2— C.  of  S. 

3— G-1 

4— G-2 

5— G-3 

6— Div.  Art.  Off. 

7— Div.  Eng.  Off. 

8— Div.  M.  G.  Off. 

9— Div.  Sig.  Off. 
10— Div.  Gas  Off. 
11 — Div.  Surgeon 
12 — Div.  Veterinarian 
13— Div.  Dental  Off. 
14 — Div.  Adjutant 
15 — Div.  Inspector 
16 — Div.  Judge  Adv. 
17— Div.  Q.  M. 
18— Div.  Ord.  Off. 
19— Div.  Postal  Off. 
20— Div.  Salvage  Off. 
21— Div.  Billeting  Off. 
22 — Finance  Dept. 
23— C.  O.  Hq.  Troop 
24 — I  Corps 
25 — First  Army 
26— Div.  Stat. 
27— A.  P.  M. 
28 — C.  O.  French  Mission 
29— War  Diary 
30— Y.  M.  C.  A. 
31— 155th  Brig. 

"NOTE   CHANGE   IN  EASTERN  DIVISION  BOUNDARY  AS  GIVEN  IN  WARNING 
MESSAGE." 

NOTE: — The  planes  now  working  with  the  77th  Division  are  De  Haviland  4's,  with  Liberty  Motors. 

Markings:     A  red-and- White  chevron  on  the  underside  of  the  lower  wing. 

Some  have,  in  addition  to  the  above,  a  stencilled  statue  of  Liberty  similarly  placed. 

It  is  assumed  that  for  a  day  or  two,  the  same  planes  will  work  with    this  Division. 


32— 308th  M.  G. 

33— 309th  Inf. 

34— 310th  Inf. 

35— 156th  Brig. 

36— 309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

37— 311th  Inf. 

38— 312th  Inf. 

39— 153rd  F.  A. 

40— 307th  Art. 

41— 308th  Art. 

42— 309th  Art. 

43— 303rd  T.  M.  Bty. 

44 — 303rd  Engineers. 

45— 303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

46— 307th  M.  G.  Bn. 

47— 303rd  Trains 

48— 303rd  M.  P. 

49— 303rd  Amm.  Train 

50— 303id  Supply  Tr. 

51— 303rd  San.  Tn. 

52— 303rd  Mob.  Vet.  Sec. 

53— 303rd  Eng.  Train. 

54 — Red  Cross 

55 — Message  Center 

56 — Lt.  Ferguson 

57— 82nd  Div. 

58— 77th  Div. 

59— Lt.  Col.  Budd,  311th  Inf. 

60— 71st  French  Div. 

61-70  Extra 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  107 

Infantry  and  308th  Machine  Gun  Battahon,  was  assigned  to  the 
eastern  subsector,  and  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade,  commanded 
by  Brigadier  General  James  T.  Dean,  and  composed  of  311th-312th 
Infantry  and  309th  Machine  Gun  Battahon,  to  the  western  sub- 
sector.  The  infantry  regiments  were  in  Hne  in  numerical  order 
extending  from  St.  Juvin  to  Grandpre,  thus,  309 th-310th-3 11th- 
312th. 

There  were  two  chief  enemy  strongholds  against  which  opera- 
tions in  this  sector  must  be  directed — the  Bois  des  Loges,  which 
lay  in  the  sector  of  the  155th  Brigade,  and  the  town  of  Grandpre, 
which  was  in  the  156th  Brigade  sector. 

The  Bois  des  Loges  is  a  tract  of  scrub  underbrush,  a  little 
less  than  a  mile  square,  cut  by  many  wood  trails  in  all  directions, 
and  by  natural  gullies  running  generally  east  and  west.  It  rises 
abruptly  from  the  south  to  a  bald  peak  in  the  northwest,  affording 
complete  observation  of  the  ground  in  front  where  our  troops  were 
dug  in.  French  maps  gave  the  height  as  618  feet,  but  captured 
German  maps,  which  later  proved  to  be  correct,  gave  the  height  as 
702  feet.  The  trees  and  underbrush  made  excellent  cover  and  yet 
were  not  dense  enough  to  hinder  effective  machine  gun  fire.  Strong 
supporting  positions  on  both  flanks  made  it  impossible  to  work  in 
from  the  sides,  and  left  only  one  alternative — a  frontal  attack 
across  open  ground  and  up  hill.  The  German  defenses  in  the  Bois 
des  Loges  consisted  of  many  machine  guns,  alone  and  in  nests,  so 
placed  as  to  fire  in  all  directions  and  also  support  each  other.  It 
was  impossible  to  attack  one  machine  gun  without  coming  under 
the  fire  of  several  others  on  either  side  of  it. 

The  Grandpre  stronghold  was  formed  by  three  points — 
Talma  Hill,  Hill  204,  and  the  so-called  citadel  of  Grandpre.  The 
citadel  is  situated  on  a  long,  narrow  tongue  of  land  ending  in  a 
cliff  about  thirty  feet  high  in  the  middle  of  the  town.  This  tongue 
of  land  commands  the  surrounding  country  within  a  radius  of  nearly 
a  mile.  At  the  foot  and  on  the  top  of  the  cliff  were  groups  of 
strongly-built  machine  gun  nests.  This  citadel  was  the  key  to 
Grandpre;  without  it,  Grandpre  was  of  no  advantage— only  a 
death  trap.  The  position  was  made  still  stronger  by  a  loop  which 
the  Aire  River  makes  to  the  north  between  Grandpre  and  Chevieres, 
making  an  assault  from  that  flank  impractical. 

The  77th  Division  when  relieved,  held  a  line  south  of  the 
Aire  River  extending  through  Chevieres,  St.  Juvin  and  the  ridge 
north  of  Sommerance,  which  was  outside  the  normal  sector  assigned 
to  the  division.  The  enemy  was  offering  stubborn  resistance  with 
machine  guns  and  some  artillery,  and  the  77th  was  greatly  reduced 
in  numbers  and  pretty  generally  exhausted. 

The  night  of  the  relief,  October  15-16,  was  intensely  dark  and 
rainy.     The  roads  were  jammed  with  transport  and  men  going  in 


60 

3 


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xn 
Q 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  109 

both  directions.  During  the  night,  telephonic  orders  came  to 
Division  P.  C,  directing  an  attack  at  6.00  A.  M.,  October  16th, 
the  time  set  for  the  completion  of  the  relief.  It  was  after  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning  before  this  order  reached  some  of  the  newly  estab- 
lished Regimental  P.  C's.  and  from  these  it  had  to  be  sent  out  to 
the  Battalions,  whose  exact  locations  were  not  known.  Owing  to 
the  confusion  incident  to  lack  of  guides  from  the  division  being 
relieved  and  the  abominable  weather  conditions,  the  relief  of  some 
of  the  units  was  not  completed  until  hours  after  the  time  set  for  the 
attack.  Besides  this,  the  shattered  condition  of  the  front  made  the 
exact  location  of  the  Germans  uncertain — except  as  to  their  general 
direction. 

On  the  right  the  attack  was  made  as  ordered,  however,  by  the 
309th  Infantry,  under  command  of  Colonel  John  M.  Morgan,  with 
two  battalions  advancing  on  the  Bois  des  Loges  from  the  southeast. 
The  310th,  whose  relief  was  not  completed  until  late  in  the  morning, 
came  up  in  the  afternoon,  joined  with  the  309th  and  got  a  foothold 
in  the  Bois  des  Loges.  Added  to  the  difficulties  of  an  attack  against 
a  strong  position  was  complete  ignorance  of  the  ground,  over  which 
there  had  been  no  chance  for  reconnaisance — the  original  idea 
having  been  to  relieve  the  82nd  Division,  which  was  on  the  right 
of  the  77th,  the  change  in  orders  reaching  the  Division  too  late  to 
permit  of  such  reconnaisance.  Water  and  mud  were  knee  deep 
in  many  places,  and  everyone  was  tired  out  after  the  experience  of 
the  previous  night  and  the  lack  of  any  sleep. 

In  the  left  brigade,  the  311th  Infantry,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Marcus  B.  Stokes,  got  into  position  in  time  to  attack 
through  the  mist  at  6.30  A.  M.,  without  any  definite  knowledge  as 
to  exact  location  of  the  enemy's  line.  The  2nd  Battalion,  under 
command  of  Major  George  T.  Adee,  took  some  prisoners  in  the  town 
to  Chevieres,  and  continued  the  advance  to  the  Aire  at  the  north 
and  west  of  the  town.  Troops  pushed  across  the  stream  at  this 
point  under  heavy  enemy  machine  gun  fire  and  gained  a  foothold 
there. 

When  the  2nd  Battalion,  312th  Infantry  under  Major  Mal- 
lory,  advanced  to  relieve  the  77th  Division  units  in  the  town  of 
Grandpre,  the  enemy  was  found  to  occupy  the  citadel  and  all  of 
the  northern  and  eastern  parts  of  the  town.  Troops  of  the  77th 
had  attacked  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town  the  previous  night 
and  had  taken  a  number  of  prisoners,  but  after  severe  fighting  had 
retired  again  to  the  south  of  the  Aire,  leaving  only  a  small  patrol 
in  the  western  end  of  the  town.  In  some  of  the  houses,  the  enemy 
held  the  upper  stories  and  a  sort  of  perpendicular  warfare  ensued. 
Before  11  o'clock,  October  16th,  Major  Mallory's  men  had  taken 
thirty-four  prisoners  and  about  half  the  town.  Major  Mallory 
himself  being  severely  wounded  during  the  early  part  of  the  fighting. 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  111 

It  took  five  days  of  house-to-house  fighting  to  complete  the  capture 
of  the  rest  of  the  town,  except  the  citadel. 

Further  west,  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  312th,  under  Major 
Debevoise,  and  a  machine  gun  company  detailed  as  a  liaison  detach- 
ment to  the  38th  French  Corps,  forded  the  river  in  the  morning 
under  heavy  machine  gun  and  artillery  fire,  with  difficulty  estab- 
lished liaison  with  the  French  at  Echaude  Farm  and  dug  in  along 
the  Grandpre-Termes  Road. 

Meanwhile  the  right  Brigade  of  our  Division  was  engaged  in 
desperate  fighting.  The  310th  Infantry,  under  command  of  Col. 
Walter  C.  Babcock,  with  the  3rd  Battalion,  supported  by  the  1st 
Battalion,  all  under  Captain  Crozier,  attacked  the  Bois  des  Loges 
toward  the  west  and  promptly  dug  in  on  the  western  side  of  the 
woods.  Information  from  Corps  Headquarters  indicated  that  the 
success  of  the  whole  military  situation  depended  upon  our  troops 
reaching  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  des  Loges  before  the  morning 
of  October  18th.  At  daybreak.  Companies  B  and  D  had  advanced 
to  within  thirty  yards  of  the  northwest  edge  of  the  woods,  while 
Companies  A  and  C  on  their  right,  were  held  up  by  a  line  of  machine 
gun  nests  midway  through  the  woods.  Desperate  fighting  con- 
tinued in  the  woods  all  day,  during  which  all  the  officers  of  Com- 
panies A  and  C,  310th,  became  casualties.  These  Companies  were 
reorganized  along  with  remnants  of  several  others  and  led  forward 
by  Captain  Remington  of  the  309th  Infantry.  Before  nightfall, 
strong,'  enemy  counter-attacks  were  met.  Desperate  hand  to  hand 
combat  with  the  Germans  gained  supremacy  for  our  weakened,  thin 
line  temporarily,  but  previous  heavy  losses  deprived  us  of  sufficient 
manpower  to  drive  further  at  this  juncture. 

The  attack  was  continued  on  the  17th  and  18th,  and  on  the 
19th  our  artillery  placed  a  heavy  two-hour  concentration  fire  on 
the  numerous  enemy  machine  gun  positions  in  the  northern  portion 
of  the  Bois  des  Loges  and  the  ridge  to  the  northwest,  but  this  had 
little  or  no  apparent  effect  on  their  substantial  cover.  Three  times 
the  309th  and  310th  persistently  advanced  and  were  stopped  each 
time.  Fighting  with  grim  determination  and  unsurpassed  courage 
in  this  bloody  salient,  companies  and  battalions  became  hopelessly 
intermingled.  Deeds  of  exceptional  personal  courage  and  con- 
scientious devotion  to  duty  were  numerous  during  these  days  and 
nights,  many  of  which  can  never  be  recorded  because  participants 
and  witnesses  alike  gave  their  lives  shortly  after.  The  medical 
detachments  carried  on  their  work  of  mercy  in  a  constant  storm  of 
machine  gun  and  artillery  fire ;  the  signalmen  under  continual  expos- 
ure, labored  day  and  night  to  maintain  the  lines  of  communication 
which  were  all-important;  the  alert  and  never-failing  runners,  dis- 
regarding personal  safety,  carried  messages  to  the  front,  flanks  and 
rear  through  gas  and  over  ground  swept  by  machine  gun  and  shell  fire. 


t 


o 


Meuse-Argonne  Ofensive  113 

The  enemy  machine  gunners  in  the  woods  were  supported  by 
plentiful  artillery  in  their  rear  to  concentrate  upon  the  open  spaces 
before  the  wood  and  on  the  irregular  open  slopes  east  and  west, 
which  were  linked  together  in  singular  fashion  favorable  to  the 
enemy's  purpose.  He  was  not  in  this  instance  to  depend  upon  small 
groups  of  machine  gunners  to  fight  to  the  death.  Knowing  from 
past  experience  that  these  would  be  overcome  by  our  hammering 
tactics,  he  was  prepared  to  keep  on  putting  in  reserves  for  counter- 
ing our  attacks.  Our  troops  that  had  reached  the  edge  of  the  woods 
drove  half  way  through  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  but  were  with- 
drawn to  make  an  attack  from  the  west.  The  reserves  sent  to  hold 
the  line  gained  had  a  rough  and  tumble  with  a  German  counter- 
attack and  had  to  yield  slightly.  The  attack  from  the  west  under 
the  flanking  fire  of  Hill  180  managed  to  dig  in  and  hold  on  to  the 
west  side  of  the  wood.  Making  progress  this  was  indeed,  but  it  was 
progress  at  a  fearful  cost.  The  position  was  too  murderous,  however 
thoroughly  the  men  dug,  to  be  maintained.  If  they  were  not  to  be 
massacred  in  their  hasty  shelters,  they  must  either  go  forward  or 
back.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  according  to  orders,  the  support 
battalions  passed  through  the  front  line,  rushing  and  outflanking 
enemy  machine  gun  nests,  in  a  fight  that  became  a  scramble  of 
units,  each  clearing  its  way  as  fast  as  it  could,  and  numbers  of  our 
men  broke  through  the  northern  edge  of  the  woods.  All  the  while 
the  Germans  instead  of  holding  fast  to  their  positions,  were  acting 
on  the  offensive  at  every  opportunity,  infiltrating  down  the  ravines, 
trying  to  creep  around  isolated  parties  and  again  charge  them.  It 
was  a  fight  between  individuals  and  groups  acting  as  their  own 
generals,  thrown  on  their  own  resources  and  initiative — German 
veterans  with  four  years  experience  in  this  kind  of  fighting  against 
our  own  fearless  and  quick-witted  veterans  of  but  a  few  months. 

On  the  19th,  the  1st  Battalion,  309th  Infantry,  under  Captain 
Parsons,  advanced  twice  almost  to  the  northern  edge  of  the  woods 
but  was  driven  back  with  heavy  losses.  The  enemy  was  keeping 
up  an  incessant  fire  with  machine  guns,  which  our  artillery  had  not 
succeeded  in  reducing,  and  was  also  sending  over  great  numbers  of 
high  explosives,  shrapnel,  and  gas  shells.  The  fighting  of  these  days 
in  the  Bois  des  Loges  is  hard  to  describe.  The  confusion  incident  to 
fighting  in  woods  and  the  ingenious  defensive  organization  of  the 
German  machine  gun  nests  made  the  control  of  any  large  body  of 
men  almost  impossible.  Men  fought  in  small,  disconnected  groups. 
Often  one  of  these  groups  would  work  its  way  well  into  the  German 
lines  and  then,  finding  it  was  alone,  would  have  to  fight  its  way 
back  again.  Casualties  were  extremely  heavy,  and  it  was  not 
uncommon  to  find  sergeants  in  command  of  companies,  and  in 
several  cases,  two  and  three  companies  were  united  under  one 
officer. 


CO 

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O 

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Q 


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u 


o 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  115 

The  82nd  Division  on  our  right  had  been  unable  to  advance. 
With  Champigneulle  and  the  heights  and  ravines  to  the  East  and 
North  still  held  by  the  enemy,  our  position  in  the  Bois  des  Loges 
was  untenable.  Our  losses  were  becoming  out  of  all  proportion  to 
the  advantages  to  be  gained  by  remaining  in  the  woods,  and  neither 
the  Division  nor  Corps  had  available  replacements  for  our  losses. 

So,  after  carrying  out  their  almost  hopeless  task  with  superb 
ardor  and  fortitude,  these  exhausted  men  of  the  78th  in  the  gas- 
saturated  Bois  des  Loges  were,  on  the  night  of  October  19,  told 
they  were  to  fall  back  to  the  Grandpre-St.  Juvin  road,  abreast  of 
the  line  of  the  82nd  Division,  and  they  complained.  They  might  be 
staggering  with  fatigue  and  nearly  suffocated  with  gas  but  they 
had  been  fighting  in  hot  blood  at  close  quarters  for  that  portion 
of  the  woods.  They  did  not  want  to  yield  this  dearly  bought  ground 
They  were  critical  of  the  order  which  compelled  them  to  retrace 
their  steps  in  the  darkness — which  was  done  in  good  order — across 
the  levels  that  had  been  spattered  with  blood  of  their  comrades. 

The  efforts  of  the  officers  and  men  engaged  in  this  frontal 
attack  on  an  admirably  organized  enemy  position,  which  could  not 
be  flanked  because  the  units  on  the  right  and  left  had  been  unable 
to  advance,  was  as  able,  brave,  determined  and  persistent  as  any 
in  all  the  stubborn  fighting  on  the  Argonne  front.  No  better  illus- 
tration of  the  excellent  spirit  these  men  showed  could  be  found 
than  the  fact  that  their  main  criticism  of  the  four  day's  fighting 
was  that  they  were  ordered  to  withdraw.  The  work  of  Major 
Segarra  and  Captain  Jones  of  the  309th  Infantry,  as  battalion  com- 
manders, was  particularly  praiseworthy,  as  were  also  the  exploits 
of  Captain  W.  L.  Ray  of  the  310th  and  Companies  B  and  D  of  the 
310th.  After  the  advances  through  the  woods.  Captain  Ray  found 
himself  near  the  northern  edge  with  twenty -four  men,  almost  sur- 
rounded and  attacked  by  a  greatly  superior  force.  By  skillful 
handling  of  his  men,  he  regained  our  lines  with  two  prisoners,  suffer- 
ing only  three  casualties  and  inflicting  many  on  the  enemy.  Com- 
panies B  and  D,  310th  Infantry,  went  along  the  western  side  of  the 
woods  to  the  northern  edge  during  the  night  of  October  17-1 8th. 
They  expected  to  connect  up  with  Companies  A  and  C  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  morning  found  Companies  A  and  C  held  up  midway 
through  the  woods,  so  that  B  and  D  found  themselves  alone  with 
Germans  on  three  sides  of  them.  They  were  cut  off  from  communi- 
cation and  unable  to  move  all  day,  but  during  the  early  hours  of 
darkness,  made  their  way  back  to  the  road  at  the  southern  edge 
of  the  woods  with  hardly  a  casualty,  so  well  was  the  withdrawal 
conducted. 

While  the  attacks  against  the  Bois  des  Loges  were  taking 
place,  persistent  attempts  by  the  156th  Brigade  were  being  made  to 
gain  possession  of  the  whole  town  of  Grandpre  and  to  push  our  lines 


Tnder  almost  constant  enemy  fire,  our  303rd  Engineers  repaired  necessary 
bridges  over  the  Aire  River. 


Only  shattered  walls  left  standing  at  LE  NOUE  LE  COQ 


These  massive  thick  walls  at  CHEVIERES  crumpled  under  the  heavy 
artillery  pounding     , 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  117 


p.  C.  78th  Division. 

18th  October,  1918. 

SECRET 
FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  28. 
Map:    BUZANCY— 1/20,000. 

1.  The  following  operations  will  take  place  tonight: 

The  heavy  Divisional  Artillery,  assisted  by  Corps  and  Amiy  .\rtillery,  will  fire  within  the  following 
quadrilateral,  from  midnight  to  2:00  Hours,  19th  October,  1918: 
291.95-286.30 
292.20-286.30 
-    292.20-287.00 
291.95-287.00 
The  greater  part  of  this  fire  being  directed  against  that  position  of  GRAND  PRE  which  lies  within 
this'quadrilateral . 

At  2:00  Hours,  this  Artillery  fire  will  lift  and  make  harassing  and  interdiction  fire  on  hostile  back 
areas  and  on  known  battery  positions,  etc. 

2.  When  this  fire  lifts,  the  C.  O.  312th  Infantry  will  seize  and  consolidate  the  shelled  area  and  the 
groundjto  the  North  as  far  as  the  edge  of  the  woods,  (west  of  BELLE  JO  YE  USE  FME.). 

3.  At  3:00  Hours,  the  C.  O.  311th  Infantry  will  advance,  capture  BELLEJOYEUSE  FME.. 
connect  with  the  right  of  the  312th  Infantry,  (See  Par.  2),  and  with  the  left  of  the  310th  Infantry  on  the 
ridge  North  of  FME.  DES  LOGES. 

4.  WHEN  THESE  FLANK  CONNECTIONS  ARE  MADE,  THE  C.  G.  156th  INFANTRY 
BRIGADE  WILL  CAUSE  HIS  NEW  LINE  TO  BE  ADVANCED  INTO  THE  BOIS  DE  BOUR- 
GOGNE  TO  A  SUFFICIENT  DISTANCE  TO  PERMIT  OF  MOVEMENT  TO  PREVENT  LOSS 
BY  SHELL  FIRE  (AT  LEAST  200  METERS). 

5.  Prompt  report  will  be  made  of  arrival  of  units  on  line. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

C.  D.  Herron, 
Chief  of  Staff. 

Official: 

E.  S.  Hayes, 

Lt.  Col.,  G.  S.,  A.  C.  of  S.,  G-3. 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  119 

to  the  heights  at  the  north  of  the  town  and  into  the  southern  edge 
of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne.  Attacks  were  made  by  the  312th  Infantry, 
acting  with  the  311th  on  their  right.  The  311th  gained  possession 
of  the  Ferme  des  Loges  and  the  ridge  to  its  west,  but  the  312th,  on 
their  left,  was  held  up  in  Grandpre  and  the  Ferme  had  to  be  given 
up.  After  two  hours  artillery  preparation,  beginning  at  midnight 
on  the  18th,  an  assault  was  made  against  the  citadel  in  Grandpre 
and  against  Talma  Hill  to  the  west  by  the  312th,  under  Colonel 
A.  V.  P.  Anderson.  Two  parties  attacked  the  citadel;  one  was 
unable  to  scale  the  cliff  because  of  machine  gun  fire  from  the  Bois 
de  Bourgogne,  and  a  storm  of  hand  grenades  from  the  top  of  the 
cliff.  The  other  party  succeeded  in  reaching  the  top,  only  to  be 
driven  off  by  machine  guns  and  grenades. 

The  1st  Battalion,  311th  Infantry,  under  Major  Odom,  made 
a  successful  attack  and  gained  the  ridge  to  the  west  of  Ferme  de 
Loges  by  8.00  a.  m.  Its  left  was  stopped  at  the  foot  of  the  slope  a 
few  hundred  yards  east  of  Belle joyeuse  Ferme.  This  position  was 
held  all  day  but  on  the  night  of  the  19th,  when  the  withdrawal  from 
the  Bois  de  Loges  of  the  155th  Brigade  was  ordered,  the  311th 
Infantry  was  ordered  to  conform  to  the  movement  and  fall  back  to 
the  general  line  through  Ferme  des  Greves. 

There  was  a  pause  in  the  operations  around  Grandpre  from 
October  20th  to  23rd,  to  permit  a  careful  reconnaisance  and  study 
of  the  situation.  A  new  attack  was  planned  for  the  23rd.*  The 
plan  called  for  a  heavy  destructive  fire  and  a  concentration  of  non- 
persistent  gas  on  the  points  to  be  attacked.  A  smoke  screen  was 
to  be  laid  down  to  cover  two  converging  attacks  from  Grandpre 
and  Talma  Hill. 

The  attack  began  as  scheduled  and  was  partially  successful. 
Troops  of  the  312th  in  Grandpre  met  with  terrific  machine  gun  and 
artillery  fire,  so  that  their  advance  was  badly  broken  up.  Lieu- 
tenant M.  H.  Harris,  with  three  or  four  men,  were  the  only  ones  to 
scale  the  wall  of  the  citadel  in  time  to  accompany  the  rolling  bar- 
rage. This  small  group  reached  Bellejoyeuse  Ferme  and  indulged 
in  a  wild  struggle  with  the  garrison  there,  but,  because  of  their 
insignificant  number,  could  not  take  the  place  and  were  obliged  to 
fall  back  to  our  lines  in  the  park  north  of  the  citadel.  The  line  here 
had  been  stopped  by  machine  guns  about  a  half  mile  from  their 
jump-off  and  later  fell  back  325  yards  to  get  better  shelter  from  the 
severe  artillery  fire.  The  attack  on  Talma  Hill  was  successful.  The 
battalion  objective  was  gained  and  patrols  sent  out  along  the  south- 
ern edge  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne.  Seventy-eight  prisoners  were 
taken  on  the  citadel,  one  man  in  Company  K,  312th,  taking  forty- 
seven  of  them  out  of  one  dugout.     About  as  many  were  taken  by 

*See  F.  O.  No.  29,  P.  C.  78th  Division,  21  October,  1918,  and 
Operations  Order  No.  49,  Hg.  153  F.  A.  Brigade. 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  121 

p.  C.  78th  Division, 
21st  October,  1918, 
2:30  hours. 
SECRET 

FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  29.  • 

Maps:  BUZ ANCY— 1/20,000 
VOUZIERS— 1/20,000. 
ARGONNE— 1/50,000. 

1.  The  enemy  holds  strongly  w'th  machine  guns,  the  Southern  edge  of  the  BOIS  DE  BOUR- 
GOGNE,  BELLEJOYEUSE  FERME,  and  the  Northern  part  of  GRAND  PRE.  Our  patrols  have 
met  with  machine  gun  fire  from  the  BOIS  DES  LOGES,  northeast  of  the  FERME  DES  LOGES,  and 
from  point  approximately  90.7-87.3. 

Our  dispositions  remain  unchanged.  Line  of  38th  French  Corps,  on  our  left,  is  89,9-86.5,  89.5- 
86.8,  88.4-87.3. 

2.  The  156th  Infantry  Brigade  will  attack  at  H  hour,  23rd  October,  to  complete  the  capture  of 
GRAND  PRE  and  establish  themselves  in  the  woods  to  the  North  and  Northwest.  Objectives  shown 
on  attach  map. 

H  HOUR  IS  5:30  HOURS,  23rd  OCTOBER,  1918. 

3.  (a)  At  H  hour,  one  battalion  312th  Infantry,  and  two  platoons  of  the  machine  gun  company, 
312th  Infantry,  all  under  command  of  the  Battalion  commander,  will  advance  through  GRAND  PRE 
and  establish  the  line  92.2-87.51  thence  around  the  Eastern  edge  of  the  wocds  to  the  point  92.1-87  9; 
thence  West  to  road  fork  at  91.7-88.0;  thence  Southwest  to  point  90.7-87.3.  Their  advance  will  be 
covered  by  a  rolling  barrage,  which  will  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  per  four  minutes.  When  this 
line  has  been  reached  and  the  machine  gun  nest  known  to  be  at  90.5-87.3  (northeast  of  TALMA  FERME) 
has  been  destroyed,  a  flag  rocket  will  be  fired  by  the  C.  O.  of  this  battalion. 

The  attack  of  this  battalion  will  be  made  in  two  lines,  each  line  consisting  of  two  companies  and 
1  platoon  of  the  machine  gun  company.  TL-.e  first  line  will  advance  through  GRAND  PRE  and  estab- 
lish the  line  92  2-87.5;  thence  around  the  Eastern  edge  of  the  woods  to  the  point  92.1-87.9;  thence  West 
to  the  road  fork  at  91.7-88.0;  thence  South  along  the  trail  to  Southern  edge  of  the  woods.  The  Eastern 
edge  of  the  wocds  will  be  strongly  protected  by  machine  gun  platoon  accompanying  this  first  line. 

The  second  line  consisting  of  two  companies  of  infantry  and  one  machine  gun  platoon,  will  follow 
at  approximately  1,000  meters,  and  will  extend  the  line  from  road  fork  91.7-88.0,  southwest  to  edge  of 
the  woods  at  90.7-87.3.  This  line  will  destroy  the  machine  gun  next  at  90.5-87.3.  The  accompanying 
machine  gun  platoon  will  cover  the  left  flank  on  this  line. 

Jumping  off  line  is  the  existing  line  in  GRAND  PRE.     (See  attached  sketch.) 

(b)  Upon  the  rocket  signal  from  the  first  line  that  their  objective  has  been  reached,  and  the 
machine  gun  on  the  left  flank  silenced,  one  battalion  311th  Infantry,  and  one-half  company  of  309th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  will  advance  from  their  jumping  off  position  in  Northern  edge  of  BOIS  DE 
NEGREMONT  (see  attached  sketch)  and  pass  through  the  line  held  by  the  attacking  battalion  of  the 
312th  Infantry,  to  their  objective,  which  is  road  fork  91.7-88.0,  Northwest  to  cross-roads  91.2-85.5; 
Southwest  along  the  road  to  edge  of  woods  at  90.0:8.7. 

One  Machine  Gun  Platoon  will  be  disposed  overlooking  TALMA  and  the  roads  to  Hts.  BATIS 
FERME  and  FUMAY. 

ZONE  OF  ACTION:— WESTERN  BOUNDARY:  91.8-85.0— TALMA,  exclusive. 
EASTERN    BOUNDARY:— 93.0-85.0— Eastern    edge    of    GRAND    PRE— BELLEJOYEUSE 
FERME,  exclusive— 92.2-87.5— Northwest  to  cross-roads  91/2-88.5. 

(c)  All  remaining  infantry  units  of  the  Division  will  remain  in  place  and  support  this  attack 
by  making  a  vigorous  demonstration  with  all  means  at  their  disposal. 

The  Machine  Gun  Co.,  311th  Infantry,  will  protect  the  right  flank  of  the  attacking  forces  by  cover- 
ing the  ground  from  BELLEJOYEUSE  FERME  to  BOIS  DES  LOGES. 

(d)  The  C.  O.  303rd  Engineers  will  assign  one  company  of  his  battalion  to  the  311th  Infantry  for 
duty  ccnnected  with  this  operation.  The  C.  O.  of  this  company  will  report  in  person  to  C.  O.  311th 
Infantry,  at  his  P.  C.  near  LA  FOLIE  FERME,  at  15  hours,  today. 

(e)  The  Divisional  Reserve  will  remain  alerted  in  their  present  position. 

(f)  The  Artillery  preparation  will  begin  at  once,  and  will  include  a  heavy  destructive  fire  on  the 
Northern  part  of  GRAND  PRE,  and  concentrations  on  the  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE,  particularly  the 
machine  gun  positions  at  90.5-87.3 — BELLEJOYEUSE  FERME,  and  dug-outs  in  that  immediate 
vicinity— FERME  DES  LOGES  and  BOIS  DES  LOGES. 


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Meuse-Argonne  Ojfensive 


123 


A  bombardment  of  non-persistent  gas  will  be  placed  upon  the  Southern  edges  of  the  BOIS  DE 
BOURGOGNE  and  upon  the  Western  and  Southern  edges  of  BOIS  DES  LOGES.  This  fire  will  be 
completed  at  H  minus  3  hours.  At  H  hour,  a  smoke  screen  will  be  laid  down  from  92.9-87.8  to  point 
94.0-87.0,  and  from  FERME  DES  TALMA  to  91.0-87.0. 

The  Artillery  will  not  fire  South  of  the  citadel  in  GRAND  PRE. 

The  Artillery  will  cover  the  attack  indicated  in  Paragraph  3-A,  by  creeping  barrage,  travelling  at  the 
rate  of  100  meters  in  four  minutes.     Further  details  of  artillery  action,  in  Artillery  Annex  attached. 

(g)  Weather  permitting,  low-flying  aeroplanes  will  accompany  the  infantry  and  assist  in  the 
reduction  of  machine  gun  nests  at  90.5-87.3. 

(x)  Combat  troops  will  be  in  position  at  H  minus  2  hours.  Infantry  will  advance  from  their 
jumping  off  place  at  H  hour.  Full  use  will  be  made  of  phosphorous  and  Thermite  grenades,  1  pounders 
and  Stokes  mortars. 

THIS  ACTION  MUST  BE  VIGOROUSLY  PUSHED,  AS  THE  FUTURE  OPERATIONS  OF 
THE  ENTIRE  FIRST  ARMY  CROPS  DEPENDS  UPON  ITS  SUCCESS. 

4.  No  change  in  Administrative  details. 

5.  P.  C"s.     No  change. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

C.  D.  Herron, 
'  Chief  of  Staff. 


OflScial. 


J.  L.  Frink, 

Major,  A.  C.  of  S.  G- 


1— C.  G.  78th  Div. 

2— C.  of  S. 

3— G-1 

4— G-2 

5— G-3 

6— Div.  Art.  Off. 

7— Div.  Eng.  Off. 

8— Div.  M.  G.  Off. 

9— Div.  Sig.  Off. 
10— Div.  Gas  Off. 
11 — Div.  Surgeon 
12 — Div.  Veterinarian 
13— Div.  Dental  Off. 
14 — Div.  Adjutant 
15 — Div.  Inspector 
16 — Div.  Judge  Adv. 
17— Div.  Q.  M. 
18— Div.  Ord.  Off. 
19— Div.  Postal  Off. 
20— Div.  Salvage  Off. 
21— Div.  Billeting  Off. 
22 — Finance  Dept. 
23— V.  O.  Hq.  Troop 
24 — I  Corps 
25 — First  Army 
26— Div.  Stat. 
27— A.  P.  M. 
28— C.  O.  French  Mission 
29— War  Diary 
30— Y.  M.  C.  A. 
31— 155th  Brig. 


DISTRIBUTION: 


32— 308th  M.  G.  Bn. 

33— 309th  Inf. 

34— 310th  Inf. 

35— 156th  Brig. 

36— 309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

37— 311th  Inf. 

38— 312th  Inf. 

39— 153rd  F.  A.  Brig. 

40— 307th  Art. 

41— 308th  Art. 

42— 309th  Art. 

43— 303rd  T.  M.  Bty. 

44 — 303rd  Engineers 

45— 303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

46— 307th  M.  G.  Bn. 

47— 303rd  Trains 

48— 303rd  M.  P. 

49— 303rd  Amm.  Train 

50— 303rd  Supply  Tn. 

51— 303rd  San.  Tr. 

52— 303rd  Mob.  Vet.  Sec. 

53— 303rd  Eng.  Train 

54 — Red  Cross 

55 — Message  Centre 

56 — 1st  French  Cav.  Div.  Dismtd. 

57— 82nd  Div. 

58— 77th  Div. 

59— Lt.  Col.  Budd,  Div.  Reserve 

60— 38th  French  Corps 

61-75— Extra 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  125 


PLAN  OF  OFFENSE— ARGONNE  SECTOR 
DOCUMENT  NO.  4 

Hq.  153rd  F.  A.  Brigade, 
October  21st,  1918. 
OPERATIONS 

No.  49 

I.  On  the  23rd  of  October  at  H  hour,  the  156th  Infantrv  Brig,  will  complete  the  conquest  of 
GRAND  PRE  and  advance  into  the  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE^in  accordance  with  F.  O.  No.  29,  Hq. 
78th  Div.  The  attack  will  be  made  in  two  phases,  the  first  starting  from  the  southern  edge  of  GRAND 
PRE  and  having  as  its  objective  the  red  line  in  sketch  No.  1;  the  second  starting  at  the  completion  of 
the  first,  from  BOIS  DE  NEGREMONT  and  passing  through  the  1st  phase  objective  to  the  blue  line. 
The  completion  of  the  1st  phase  will  be  indicated  by  the  firing  of  a  FLAG  ROCKET  by  the  assault 
battalion  commander.    The  artillery  will  support  the  operation  as  shown  below. 

II.  The  attack  will  be  preceded  by  an  artillery  preparation  as  follows: 

1.  DESTRUCTIONS  (Sketch  No.  2)— The  heavy  regiment  w-ll  accomplish  the  destruction 
indicated  on  sketch  during  the  day  22nd  Oct.  The  effect  of  these  destructions  will  be  maintained  by 
occasional  short  bursts  of  fire  upon  the  same  area  during  the  night. 

2.  NEUTRALIZATION  BY  GAS  (Sketch  No.  2)— This  will  be  accomplished  in  the  shortest 
possible  period  of  time  in  order  to  get  an  effective  concentration.  It  will  be  completed  by  H — 3h. 
No.  5  gas  will  be  used.    The  Corps  Artillery  has  been  asked  to  assist  in  the  gas  concentration. 

3.  INTERDICTION  FIRE  will  be  executed  from  H— Ih  to  H  as  shown  on  Sketch  No.  3.  The 
nature  of  this  fire  will  be  short  and  irregular  bursts  accurately  placed  upon  the  sensitive  points  assigned. 

4.  COUNTER  BATTERY — The  Corps  and  Army  Artillery  has  been  requested  to  counter  all 
known  enemy  batters  from  H — Ih  throughout  the  operation. 

5.  PROHIBITION  OF  ENEMY  REINFORCEMENT— From  H— Ih,  the  238th  F.  A.  will 
harass  the  road  running  south  from  le  MORTHOMME  through  la  RACARDERIE-la  CHINERAY. 
Also  the  road  running  west  from  BEFFU  et  le  MORTHOMME.  The  Corps  and  Army  artillery  have 
been  asked  to  harass  rear  areas. 

III.  The  attack  will  be  accompanied  by  artillery  as  follows: 

1.  RAKING  FIRE  (Sketch  No.  4)  to  drive  the  enemy  personnel  from  their  defenses,  will  begin 
at  H  hour  and  precede  the  infantry  advance.  This  fire  will  be  fired  by  the  organizations  as  indicated  in 
SK.  No.  4.  Fire  W'll  be  particularly  directed  upon  targets  that  may  be  discovered  from  forward  O.  P.'s. 
(For  instance  trenches  south  of  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE).  In  case  of  the  309th  F.  A.  this  fire  will 
begin  at  the  southern  end  of  the  area  assigned  in  the  1st  phase  and  will  be  advanced  in  front  of  the 
infantry  progression,  keeping  always  in  front  of  the  rolling  barrage;  in  the  second  phase  the  fire  will  be 
lifted  as  indicated  on  sketch  In  the  case  of  the  307th  F.  A.  this  fire  will  be  delivered  upon  selected  tar- 
gets in  the  areas  assigned  in  the  1st  phase  until  H — 68;  in  the  second  phase  the  fire  will  be  timed  a 
indicated  on  the  sketch.  In  the  case  of  the  238th  F.  A.  the  fire  will  be  delivered  upon  FARM  DE  LOGES 
and  the  edges  of  the  BOIS  DE  LOGES  until  H — 68;  in  the  2nd  phase  the  fire  will  be  timed  as  indicated 
on  the  sketch.    Rate  of  fire  for  75  mm  : 

1st  phase:    300  rds.  per  Btry.  per  hour. 

2nd  phase:  150  rds.  per  Btry.  per  hour. 
For  155  mm.: 

1st  phase:    30  rds.  per  piece  per  hour. 

2nd  phase:  15  rds.  per  piece  per  hour. 

2.  ROLLING  BARRAGE  will  be  fired  by  the  308th  F.  A.  as  indicated  on  sketch  No.  5.  Rate 
of  fire  300  rds.  per  battery  per  hour,  one  gun  always  at  rest;  projectile  H.  E.  When  the  rolling  barrage 
lifts  from  its  line  at  H — 68  it  will  go  into  the  protective  barrage  line  indicated  on  sketch  and  will  fire 
at  the  same  rate  until  H — 85.  This  protective  barrage  line  will  be  extended  by  the  307th  F.  A.  as 
indicated  on  same  sketch. 

3.  SMOKE  SCREEN  will  be  put  in  front  of  enemy  strong  points,  as  indicated  on  sketch  No.  4, 
at  H  hour  and  maintained  for  one  hour.  This  will  be  done  by  75  mm.  (307th  F.  A.'  and  238th  F.  A.) 
with  No.  3  special  shell.  In  making  the  proposed  screen  the  307th  F.  A.  will  employ  two  batteries 
firing  400  rds.  per  battery  per  hour.  The  238th  F  A.  will  employ  three  batteries  in  its  smoke  mission, 
firing  at  the  same  rate. 

IV.  The  defense  of  the  ground  gained  will  be  secured  by  the  308th  F.  A.  in  liasson  with  the 
C.  G.  of  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade;  by  the  usual  O.  C.  P.  to  be  planned  by  the  C.  O.  309th  F.  A.  and 


!t3 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  127 

by  special  disposition  to  be  made  later  by  the  Divisional  Artillery  Commander  according  to  the  results 
of  the  operation. 

V.     H  hour  will  be  5h:30  October  23rd,  1918. 

C.  C.  Heabn, 

Brigadier  General,  U.  S.  A., 
Commanding. 

Official: 

George  L.  Briggs, 

Capt.  F.  A.  Operations. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

C.  G,  1  309th  F.  A..  4 

C.  S.,  1  238th  F.  A.    3 

G-3,  78th  Div.  3  C.  G.,  Corps  Art.,  1 

307th  F.  A.,  3  File.  1 
308th  F.  A.,  3 


o 


Meuse-Argonne  Ojfensive  129 


p.  C.  78th  Division, 

23rd  October,  1918, 
19:30  Hours. 

SECRET 
FIELD  ORDER, 

No.  30. 
Maps:  SAME  AS  FIELD  ORDER  NO.  29. 

1.  The  enemy  still  holds  the  Southern  edge  of  the  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE  between  Hill  220, 
(immediately  Northeast  of  FERME  DE  TALMA),  and  Hill  204,  (North  of  GRAND  PRE). 

The  78th  Division  extended  its  gains  North  of  GRAND  PRE  and  stormed  Hill  220,  (immediately 
Northeast  of  FERME  DE  TALMA). 

2.  The  78th  Division  will  continue  its  attack  at '  H"  Hour  on  October  24th,  1918. 

3.  (a)     156th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE. 

OBJECTIVE:— TALMA  (exclusive)— Northeast  to  cross-roads  at  91.2-88.4 — Southeast  to 
92.5-87.3. 

The  312th  Infantry,  (less  battalion  in  Brigade  Reserve)  plus  one  battalion  of  the  311th  Infantry 
(now  in  Northern  edge  of  BOIS  DE  NEGREMONT),  all  under  command  of  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  312th  Infantry,  will  attack  from  the  line — their  present  positions  on  Hill  220 — Southeast  to 
91.0-86.8—92.0-86.6  East  to  boundary  between  the  311th  and  312th  Infantry  at  92.7-86.6. 

The  Brigade  Reserve  will  be  moved  from  their  present  position  to  the  Northern  edge  of  the  BOIS 
DE  NEGREMONT  in  the  vicinity  of  O.  P.  MADELONE  (91.7-85.0). 

(b)  155th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE. 

The  155th  Infantry  Brigade  will  support  the  attack  of  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade,  and  extend 
left  of  its  line  to  the  Northwest,  so  as  to  protect  right  flank  of  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade. 

(c)  The  307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  is  relieved  from  Division  Reserve  and  will  support  attack 
by  vigorous  fire  action. 

(d)  153rd  F.  A.  BRIGADE. 

The  153rd  Artillery  Brigade  will  vigorously  support  attack  and  seize  the  first  opportunity  to  press 
guns  forwaid  into  the  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE. 

(e)  The  Division  Reserve  will  move  before  12  Hours,  24th  October,  1918,  to  a  position  on  the 
Northern  slope  of  ravine  running  West  from  LA  FOLIE  FERME. 

(x)  The  attack  will  be  made  without  previous  artillery  preparation.  Combat  troops  will  be  in 
position  at  "H"  minus  one  (1)  Hour.    Infantry  will  advance  from  the  Jump-Off  Line  at  "H"  Hour. 

4.  No  change  in  Administrative  Details. 
,  5.     No  change  in  P.  C.'s. 

J.  H.  McRae, 

Major  General, 
Commanding. 

NOTE:— H  HOUR  IS  6:00  HOURS,  24th  OCTOBER,  1918. 

DISTRIBUTION:  Same  distribution  as  Field  Order  No.  29,  78th  Div.,  Oct.  21,  1918. 


^( 


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Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  131 

the  1st  Battalion  in  its  attack  on  Talma  Hill.  While  the  full  objec- 
tive set  for  this  attack  was  not  reached,  two  of  the  three  points 
which  make  up  the  stronghold  of  Grandpre  were  taken — ^Talma 
Hill  and  the  Citadel  in  Grandpre — and  the  way  opened  for  the 
success  which  followed.  It  was  during  this  attack  that  Supply 
Sergeant  Sawelson  of  Company  M,  312th  Infantry,  won  the  Con- 
gressional Medal  of  Honor.  Sergeant  Sawelson  went  to  the  aid  of 
a  badly  wounded  comrade  who  was  lying  exposed  to  terrific  machine 
gun  fire  far  in  advance  of  his  company's  line.  Finding  that  he  could 
not  carry  the  man  in  to  shelter,  Sawelson  returned  to  get  water  for 
him,  and  on  his  second  trip  out  he  was  killed  just  as  he  handed  his 
comrade  the  canteen. 

The  day  of  the  24th  witnessed  a  continuation  of  the  offensive 
on  the  whole  Division  front.*  The  next  morning,  the  3rd  Battalion, 
311th,  under  Captain  Flint,  passed  through  the  forces  of  the  312th 
on  top  of  Talma  Hill  and  attacked.  This  attack  was  preceded  by  a 
brief  artillery  diversion  to  the  east  and  a  ten  minute  preparation 
by  artillery  and  machine  guns,  the  latter  being  especially  effective. 
They  easily  gained  the  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne,  and  then 
fought  their  way  along  to  a  line  running  along  the  edge  of  the  woods 
to  a  point  about  a  quarter  mile  east  of  Talma  Hill.  This  left  a  gap 
of  almost  a  mile  between  the  force  in  the  part  north  of  Grandpre 
and  the  battalion  of  the  311th  coming  in  from  the  west. 

Re-enforcements  of  two  companies  from  the  2nd  Battalion, 
311th,  were  sent  up  during  the  night  of  October  25th-26th,  to 
strengthen  the  rather  thinly -held  line  and  to  assist  in  "mopping 
up"  the  woods  and  gaining  touch  with  Grandpre.  A  severe  enemy 
barrage  and  a  counter-attack  by  infantry  supported  with  machine 
guns  along  the  ridge  north  of  Hill  204,  delaying  the  finishing  touch 
on  these  operations  until  the  early  morning  of  the  27th,  when 
Company  E,  with  the  assistance  of  one  pounders,  drove  the  last 
remaining  enemy  machine  guns  from  the  heights  north  of  Grand- 
pre, thus  putting  an  end  to  this  enemy  strong-hold  that  had  figured 
so  conspiciously  in  holding  up  the  extreme  left  of  the  American  line. 
On  the  26th,  the  remainder  of  the  2nd  Battalion  was  ordered  into 
close  support  of  the  line;  at  the  same  time  relieving  the  companies 
of  the  312th  Infantry  in  Grandpre. 

On  the  night  of  this  day  the  1st  Battalion,  311th,  was  relieved 
from  the  front  line  in  the  vicinity  of  Ferme  des  Greves  and  placed 
in  reserve  at  La  Noue  le  Coq. 

The  155th  Brigade  extended  its  line  to  the  Ferme  des  Greves 
and  the  gap  from  there  to  Grandpre  across  the  bend  in  the  river 
was  covered  by  strong  machine  gun  positions.  The  312th,  upon 
its  relief,  went  into  Division  Reserve,  and  the  311th,  supported  by 
the  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  organized  the   156th  Brigade 

*See  F.  O.  No.  30,  P.  C.  78th  Division,  23  October,  1918. 


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Meuse-Argonne  Ojfensive  133 

P.  C.  78th  Division, 

25th  October,  1918, 
SECRET  12:30  hours. 

FIELD  ORDER, 

NO.  31. 
Maps:  BUZANCY— 1/20,000. 
VOUZIERS— 1/20,000. 

1.  There  is  no  further  information  of  the  enemy. 

There  is  no  change  in  the  disposition  of  divisions  on  our  right  and  left. 

2.  This  Division  will  organize  its  present  front  line  suitably  for  a  jump-oflF  to  an  attack  to  the 
North,  and  to  obtain  information  of  the  enemy's  dispositions  and  intentions. 

3.  (a)     155th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE. 

BOUNDARIES:— EAST— MARCQ,  exclusive;  MIN  DE  BAS,  inclusive;  CHAMPIGNEULLE. 
exclusive;  MALMAISON  FERME,  exclusive. 

WEST:— CHE VIERES,  inclusive;  FERME  DES  LOGES,  inclusive;  94.0-94.0;  BOIS  DE 
THENORGUES,  inclusive. 

(b)  156th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE. 

BOUNDARIES:— EAST— Same  as  West  Boundary  of  155th  Infantry  Brigade. 
WEST— 90.0-85.0;  TALMA,  inclusive;  BOULT-AUX-BOIS.  exclusive. 

(c)  MACHINE  GUN  BATTALIONS  AND  COMPANIES. 

All  machine  gun  battalions  and  companies  in  the  Division,  including  those  of  Brigade  and  Regi- 
ments, will  be  utilized  and  disposed  within  their  respective  sectors  according  to  machine  gun  plan 
to  follow. 

(d)  153rd  FIELD  ARTILLERY  BRIGADE. 

The  153rd  F.  A.  Brigade  will  prepare  to  support  the  general  plan. 

(e)  303rd  ENGINEERS. 

The  303rd  Engineers  will  continue  its  present  mission. 

(f)  DIVISIONAL  RESERVE. 

The  312th  Infantry  and  307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  will  relieve  the  Units  now  in  the  Divisional 
reserve. 

(x)  Details  of  relief  of  organizations  now  in  Division  Reserve  will  be  arranged  by  C.  O.  312th 
Infantry. 

The  relief  of  the  units  of  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade  now  in  the  new  sector  aerein  hssigned  to  the 
155th  Infantry  Brigade,  will  be  made  by  the  Commanding  General,  155th  Infantry  Brigade,  after  con- 
sultation with  the  Command'ng  General,  156th  Infantry  Brigade. 

The  occupation  of  new  sectors  and  the  relief  of  the  present  Division  Reserve  will  be  completed 
before  daylight,  26th  October,  1918. 

Command  in  each  sector  and  subsector  passes  upon  completion  of  relief. 

Brigade  Commanders  will  take  full  advantage  of  this  pause  in  the  general  advance  to  reorganize 
units,  replenish  supplies,  and  to  give  a  maximum  rest  to  their  troops  consistent  with  the  carrying  out 
of  their  mission  and  the  disposition  of  their  forces  to  meet  possible  counter-attacks. 

Particular  attention  will  be  given  to  organization  in  depth. 

Stokes  Mortars,  37  mm.  and  75  mm.  guns  will  be  advanced  for  short  range  fire  on  located  hostile 
machine  gun  positions,  and  to  support  the  general  advance. 

On  completion  of  occupation  of  new  sectors  herein  designated.  Brigade  Commanders  will  report 
the  fact  by  telephone  to  this  P.  C.  Within  twenty-four  (24)  hours  after  completion  of  relief,  they  will 
submit  a  tracing  or  marked  map,  showing  their  dispositions  down  to  and  including  companies. 

Attention  is  invited  to  restrictions  covering  movements  in  daylight. 

4.  Changes  in  Administrative  Details  will  be  covered  in  orders  from  G-1. 

5.  POSTS  OF  COMMAND. 

155th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE— 96.8-83.3. 

156th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE— LA  MALASSISE  FERME. 

308th  F.  A.  REGIMENT— LA  MALASSISE  FERME. 

DIVISION  RESERVE— Ravine  400  yards  West  of  LA  FOLIE  FME. 

J.  H.  McRae. 

Major  General, 
DISTRIBUTION:  Same  as  Field  Order  No.  29,  78th  Div.  Commanding. 


O  53 

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go 

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s  a 


Meuse-Argonne  Offensive  135 

front  in  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne  in  preparation  for  the  major  opera- 
tion of  November  1st.  Further  serious  exploitation  of  the  success 
of  reducing  Grandpre  was  not  attempted  upon  Corps  orders.  Minor 
rectifications  of  the  front,  including  the  occupation  of  Talma  Village 
on  the  28th  and  Bellejoyeuse  Ferme  on  the  29th,  and  the  reduction 
of  annoying  machine  gun  nests,  were  easily  accomplished  before 
the  great  attack  of  November  1st. 

The  final  and  successful  attack  on  Grandpre  was  the  occasion 
for  a  commendatory  message  from  Lieutenant  General  Liggett, 
Commander  of  the  First  Army,  which  reads  as  follows: 

"The  Army  is  very  much  pleased  with  the  persistent,  intelli- 
gent, and  succesful  work  done  by  the  78th  Division  in  clearing  up  the 
ridges  north  of  Grandpre." 

Major  General  Dickman  of  the  1st  Army  Corps,  added  this 
tribute: 

"I  heard  the  Commander  of  the  1st  Army,  General  Hunter 
Liggett,  express  himself  as  much  pleased  with  your  intelligent  per- 
sistence in  pushing  operations  against  the  enemy  in  your  sector. 

"I  wish  to  add  to  this  high  appreciation  of  the  perseverance  of 
yourself,  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  your  division  in  pursuing 
operations  in  most  difficult  terrain  and  under  severe  conditions,  com- 
pleting the  capture  of  Grandpre  and  pushing  vour  line  well  forward 
in  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne. 

"Please  convey  my  sentiments  to  all  concerned."  ' 

During  the  last  few  days  of  October,  preparations  were  made 
for  the  big  attack  of  November  1st.  Quantities  of  small  arms, 
ammunition,  rockets,  flares,  etc.,  were  brought  up  close  to  the  lines 
and  stored  in  dumps.  Telephone  lines  were  increased  and  new  lamp 
stations  organized  so  that  communication  would  be  assured  during 
the  attack.  The  303rd  Engineers  under  constant  fire  built  several 
bridges  across  the  Aire  River.  The  artillery  force  was  greatly 
increased  by  1st  Army  and  1st  Corps  troops  and  many  French 
batteries.  The  only  thing  that  was  lacking  to  put  the  Division  in 
good  shape  was  men  to  replace  the  heavy  casualties  of  the 
depleted  infantry  regiments — ^but  none  were  available. 


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CHAPTER  VI. 


THE  PURSUIT  TOWARD  SEDAN 


URING  THE  last  days  of  October  when  the  front  Hne  of 
the  division  stretched  out  along  the  St.  Juvin-Grandpre 
Road  and  along  the  crest  of  the  ridge  in  the  southern  portion 
of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne  to  the  village,  of  Talma,  the  sector 
was  quieter  than  it  had  been  during  any  of  the  month's 
fighting.  The  Germans  still  sent  over  their  morning  and 
evening  "hate"  and  dropped  big  shells  harmlessly  into  the 
valley  of  the  Aire.  Enemy  planes  occasionally  flew  low 
along  our  front  line  firing  machine  guns  with  little  effect. 
Stray  bullets  came  down  the  Ferme  de  Louvet  road  and 
from  the  woods  north  and  northeast  of  Talma,  cracking  over  the 
heads  of  our  outposts.  But  there  was  little  organized  firing.  Talma 
and  Grandpre  had  been  cleared  and  the  Bois  des  Loges  which  had 
proved  such  a  stronghold  against  earlier  attacks  was  as  quiet  as  a 
country  churchyard.  So  much  so  that  the  belief  prevailed  the 
enemy  had  withdrawn  its  rear  guard  Maxims.  However,  patrols 
sent  forward  during  the  night  of  October  31  found  them  still  in 
position. 

To  the  Germans  we  must  have  appeared  to  be  watchfully 
waiting.  But  in  reality,  we  were  preparing  the  biggest  movement 
we  had  yet  participated  in — the  November  First  attack.*  During 
those  last  four  days  of  October,  the  line  officers  met  daily  in  their 
battalion  and  regimental  P.  C.'s  and  studied  the  secret  orders  and 
maps  as  they  came  in  from  Division  Headquarters.  Back  in 
Brigade  Headquarters  and  Division,  the  intelligence  reports  were 
being  analyzed  with  the  greatest  care.  The  artillery  were  bringing 
up  vast  supplies  of  ammunition.  Every  detail  was  being  carefully 
prepared. 

The  155th  Brigade,  with  the  309th  and  310th  Infantry  Regi- 
ments on  the  line  in  the  order  named  from  right  to  left,  was  sup- 
ported by  the  308th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  and  the  307th  Field 
Artillery.  The  156th  Brigade  was  supported  by  the  309th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  and  the  308th  Field  Artillery;  it  had  the  311th 
Infantry  only  on  the  line,  the  312th  Infantry  being  in  reserve.  For 
this  attack,  the  Army  Command  had  supplemented  our  own  artil- 
lery with  the  direct,  close  support  of  the  238th  French  F.  A.,  247th 
French  F.  A.,  each  with  nine  batteries  of  75  Mms.,  and  the  65th 
Regiment  U.  S.  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  with  two  batteries  of  9.2''  guns. 
*See  F.  O.  No.  32,  P.  C.  78th  Division,  30  October,  1918. 


'g^^lK* 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  139 

p.  C.  78th  Division, 
October  30,  1918. 
18  Hours. 
SECRET 

CORRECTED  COPY  OF 

FIELD  ORDER 

NO.  32. 

Maps:  SAME  AS  F.  O.  NO.  32. 
(Corrected  Copies) 

1.  The  First  Army  Corps  will  attack  on  its  present  front  on  D  day  at  H  hour,  with  three  divisions 
in  line.  The  attack  will  be  an  enveloping  one  from  the  right,  to  flank  the  enemy  out  of  the  BOIS  DE 
BOURGOGNE. 

2.  The  78th  Division  will  execute  a  holdmg  attack  on  its  front  West  of  GRAND  PRE,  and  will 
protect  the  left  flank  of  the  Corps  by  advancing  so  as  to  continually  face  the  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE. 
It  will  promptly  seize  the  BOIS  DES  LOGES  and  thoroughly  clean  it  out  during  the  first  day. 

BOUNDARIES: 

EAST:— LA  VIERGETTE;  LA  BESOGNE  (inclusive);  MARCQ  (exclusive);  CHAMPIG- 
NEULLE  (exclusive);  MALMAISON  FERME  (exclusive);  AUTHE  (inclusive). 

WEST:— GRAND  PRE  (inclusive);  TALMA  (inclusive);  HAUTE-BATIS  FERME  (inclusive); 
BOULT-AUX-BOIS  (inclusive). 

To  the  78th  Division  are  attached : 

50th  Aero  Squadron. 

5th  Balloon  Company,  (with  Corps  Artillery). 

2  Companies  53d  Pioneer  Infantry. 

2  Batteries  65  C.  A.  C.  (9.2's). 

238  R.  A.  C.  P.  (French). 

247  R.  A.  C.  P.  (French)— From  0  hour,  D  plus  1  day). 

OBJECTIVES: 

FIRST  OBJECTIVE:  Northern  edge  of  BOIS  DES  LOGES;  92.8-88.4;  91.5-88.7;  91.2-88.5. 

SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVE:  Ridge  2  kilometers  North  of  BRIQUENAY— to  connect  with 
IV  French  Army  at  BOULT-AUX-BOIS. 

LINE  OF  DEPARTURE:  95.7-86.3;  92.9-86.6;  92.3-87.1;  92.15-87.65;  91.3-88.4;  90.0-87.7. 
(See  Special  Map  attached.) 

Upon  reaching  the  FIRST  OBJECTIVE,  patrols  will  be  pushed  well  to  the  front,  preparatory  to  a 
further  advance  on  the  second  day. 

3.  (a)     155th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE. 
BOUNDARIES: 

EAST:— LA  VIERGETTE;  LA  BESOGNE  (inclusive) ;  MARCQ  (exclusive)  CHAMPIGNEULLE 
(exclusive);  MALMAISON  FERME  (exclusive);  AUTHE  (inclusive). 

WEST:— CHEVIERES  (inclusive);  FERME  DES  LOGES  (exclusive);  BOIS  DES  LOGES 
(inclusive);  BRIQUENAY  (exclusive);  GERMONT  (inclusive). 

FIRST  OBJECTIVE:  Northern  edge  of  BOIS  DES  LOGES.  The  Northern  edge  will  be  seized 
promptly  and  the  woods  thoroughly  cleaned  out  the  first  day. 

SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVE:  That  part  of  the  SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVE  which  lies  North 
of  BRIQUENAY. 

(b)     156th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE: 

BOUNDARIES: 

EAST: — Same  as  West  Boundary  of  155th  Brigade. 

WEST:— GRAND  PRE  (inclusive);  TALMA  (inclusive);  HAUTE-BATIS  FERME  (inclusive); 
BOULT-AUX-BOIS  (inclusive). 

The  156th  Infantry  Brigade,  less  1  Battalion,  312th  Infantry,  will  cover  and  support  the  left  flank 
of  the  155th  Infantry  Brigade,  extending  the  line  of  the  SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVE  North  to  include 
BRIQUENAY.  This  line  will  be  held  strongly  with  machine  guns  and  cover  the  Eastern  edges  of  the 
BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE. 

FIRST  OBJECTIVE:   Western  point  of  BOIS  DE  LOGES;  92.8-88.4;  91.5-88.7;  91.2-88.5. 

SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVE:  That  part  of  the  SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVE  which  lies  between 
parallels  88.0-92.0. 


140  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

LIAISON  GROUP — A  combat  liasion  detachment  of  one  battalion  of  infantry  and  one  machine 
gun  company  will  maintain  contact  with  the  38th  French  Corps  along  the  Western  boundary  of  the 
Corps.  The  bulk  of  this  Detachment  will  be  kept  in  position  where  they  may  be  utilized  to  a'd  the 
advance  to  the  FIRST  and  SUBSEQUENT  OBJECTIVES. 

(c)  153rd  FIELD  ARTILLERY  BRIGADE. 

The  153rd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  plus  attached  artillery,  will  carry  out  the  plan  prescribed  in 
Annex  No.  1,  Field  Order  No.  85,  1st  Army  Corps. 

The  heights  and  Eastern  slopes  of  the  BOIS  DE  BOURGOGNE,  extending  from  GRAND  PRE  to 
1  kilometer  North  of  BRIQUENAY,  will  be  Yperited  from  D  minus  3  days  to  D  minus  1  day. 

(d)  Division  RESERVE. 

One  (1)  Battalion,  312th  Infantry,  and  307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  will  remain  in  their  present 
position,  in  reserve. 

(e)  EMPLOYMENT  OF  MACHINE  GUNS.     (See  Annex  No.  1.) 

(f)  TECHNICAL  AND  SPECIAL  TROOPS  AND  SERVICES. 

All  Technical  and  Special  Troops  and  Services  will  carry  out  the  plans  of  action  outlined  in  Annexes 
to  Field  Order  No.  85,  1st  Army  Corps,  and  Field  Order  No.  32,  78th  Division. 

(g)  PLAN  OF  AIR  SERVICE.     (See  Annex  No.  2.) 

(h)  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CONQUERED  GROUND.  (See  Annex  No.  3  to  Field  Order 
No   85,  1st  A.  C.) 

(i)     PLAN  OF  ENGINEERS.     (See  Annex  No.  4.) 

0)      BATTLE  INSTRUCTIONS.     (See  Annex  No.  5  to  F.  O.  85,  1st  A.  C.) 
(x)     1.     Combat  troops  will  be  in  position  on  D  day  at  H  minus  4  hours.    The  artillery  prepara- 
tion for  the  attack  will  begin  at  H  minus  2  hours.     The  Infantry  will  advance  from  the  line  of  departure 
at  H  hour,  preceded  by  a  rolling  barrage  travelling  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  five  (5)  minutes. 

2.  The  infantry  advance  will  be  boldly  and  vigorously  executed.  Battalions  will  seize  every 
opportunity  to  push  ahead,  as  their  advance  will  insure  that  of  others. 

4.  PLAN  OF  LIAISON.     (See  Annex  No.  6.) 
PLAN  OF  INTELLIGENCE.     (See  Annex  No.  7.) 

PLAN  OF  COMMUNICATION,  SUPPLY  AND  EVACUATION.     (See  Annex  No.  8.) 

5.  POSTS  OF  COMMAND. 

78th  Division— CHATEL  CHEHERY. 

155th  Infantry  Brigade— 96.8-83.3. 

156th  Infantry  Brigade— LA  MALASSISE  FERME. 

153rd  Field  Artillery  Brigade— CHATEL  CHEHERY. 

307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion— LA  NOUE  le  CO  Q. 

Division  Reserve— LA  NOUE  le  CO  Q. 

Advance  Center  of  Information — LA  BESOGNE. 

J.  H.  McRae, 
Major  General, 
Commanding. 
DISTRIBUTION:  "A". 

NOTE: — Return  original  Field  Order  No.  32,  except  the  Annexes,  which  still  remain  in  force. 


THE  RUINED  CHURCH  AT  THIAUCOURT 


TOP  SECTION 


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o  fl  on  November  5th,  1918 


BOTTOM  SECTION 


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Showing  Posts  of  (^ommand,  Division  and  Brigade  boundaries,  our  front  line  on  November  1st,  1918, 

and  subsequent  advance 


144  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

In  brief  the  plan  of  attack  was  as  follows:  In  front  of  the 
156th  Brigade  lay  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne,  a  belt  of  thick  woods 
extending  north  for  about  eight  kilometers.  Fighting  through  this 
woods  was  to  be  avoided  by  saturating  it  with  yperite  (mustard 
gas),  especially  along  its  eastern  edge.  The  156th  Brigade  to  hold 
the  southern  edge  of  the  woods  from  Talma  to  the  north  of  Grand - 
pre,  and  attack  and  face  the  eastern  edge  of  the  woods.  The  155th 
Brigade  to  attack  north  through  the  Bois  des  Loges,  its  left  flank 
being  protected  by  the  156th  Brigade.  The  French  were  to  advance 
to  the  west  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne  and  liaison  re-established 
with  them  at  its  northern  end,  near  Boult-aux-Bois. 

The  first  objective  was  a  line  stretching  from  the  Bois  de 
Bourgogne,  on  the  left,  through  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  des 
Loges;  the  subsequent  objective,  a  ridge  two  kilometers  north  of 
Briquenay.  As  the  Bois  des  Loges  was  believed  to  be  thinly  held, 
two  hours  artillery  preparation  was  thought  to  be  adequate. 

During  all  this  preparation,  the  mysterious  symbols  of  "D" 
Day  and  "H"  Hour  were  the  only  information  that  was  given  out 
as  to  the  moment  of  "jump-off."  On  October  30th,  the  wail  of  gas 
shells  from  our  own  artillery  told  us  that  the  yperite  was  beginning 
its  deadly  work  in  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne.  All  that  day  and  all  the 
next  the  gas  fire  continued  unceasingly.  Nearly  forty  thousand 
rounds  of  yperite  shell  were  fired  into  certain  areas  of  the  Bourg- 
gogne  Woods,  then  batteries  concentrated  destructive  fire  on  certain 
known  enemy  positions.  The  continued  rapid  whirr  of  our  shells 
passing  over  to  the  German  lines  turned  day  and  night  of  October 
31st  into  a  weird  pandemonium.  For  two  hours  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  attack,  ten  thousand  rounds  of  high  explosive  were 
poured  into  the  troublesome  Bois  des  Loges  by  our  own  153rd  F.  A. 
Brigade  and  the  attached  Army  artillery.  As  further  fire  prepara- 
tion, a  heavy  machine  gun  barrage  was  laid  down  on  the  Bois  des 
Loges,  the  ridge  to  the  west  of  this  woods  and  on  the  road  running 
north  into  le  Morthomme  from  Grandpre.  Under  this  intense  con- 
centration it  seemed  well  nigh  impossible  that  the  Germans  could 
survive.  The  night  of  the  31st,  word  was  whispered  down  the 
front  line  that  we  were  going  over  at  five-thirty  the  next  morning. 

Great  confidence  prevailed  among  the  officers  and  men  on 
the  eve  of  the  attack.  The  morale  was  excellent.  The  few  days 
quiet  had  restored  the  spirits  of  everyone.  One  battalion  com- 
mander said  in  a  conference  of  ofiicers  for  final  preparation,  that 
tomorrow's  show  would  be  a  "picnic,"  and,  he  believed,  the  last 
battle  of  the  war.  The  major  was  right  in  his  second  prophecy,  but 
the  picnic  was  a  little  delayed.  He  had  underestimated  the  enemy's 
brilliant  rear-guard  defense  in  the  Bois  des  Loges — the  last  of  the 
Boche  surprises. 


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146  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

Rumors  of  an  imminent  armistice — rumors  which  had  haunted 
us  almost  since  we  had  left  the  St.  Mihiel  lines — ^had  little  weight- 
with  the  men.  One  soldier  who  was  told  that  the  war  was  over, 
pointed  forward  to  the  enemy  positions — "Over  there,"  he  replied. 
Peace  seemed  very  remote  to  the  occupants  of  the  shell-holes  on  the 
St.  Juvin — Grandpre  road.  While  there  was  still  a  German  behind 
a  gun  they  knew  that  their  job  was  WAR. 

At  one-thirty  on  the  morning  of  November  first,  the  troops 
took  their  positions  on  the  line  of  departure  organized  in  the  wave 
formation  in  which  they  were  to  jump  off — two  thin  skirmish  lines 
followed  by  lines  of  staggered  columns.  At  half  past  three,  the 
thunder  of  the  artillery  began  back  in  the  hills  and  the  great  circle 
of  the  horizon  burst  into  flame.  From  the  ridge  south  of  the  Aire 
Valley  came  the  sharp  "rat-tat-tat"  of  a  machine  gun  barrage. 

The  men  were  eager  for  the  attack  when  dawn  came.  Chilled 
by  the  long  hours  of  the  night  they  waited  impatiently  for  the 
signal  to  advance.  A  heavy  mist  hung  over  the  broad  plain  which 
stretched  ahead  of  our  line  of  departure  and  the  first  advancing 
waves  were  soon  lost  to  sight.  But  this  happy  concealment  was 
short-lived,  and  as  the  last  of  the  staggered  columns  moved  out  the 
mist  rose  and  the  sun  shone  on  thin,  long  lines  of  bayonets.  Imme- 
diately the  counter-barrage  of  German  77's  came  down  in  the  face 
of  our  men,  followed  by  a  withering  machine  gun  fire  from  three 
sides — Champigneulles  on  the  right,  the  Bois  des  Loges  in  the 
center,  and  the  Ferme  des  Loges  on  the  left.  The  men  advanced 
steadily  against  the  artillery  barrage,  but  the  bands  of  fire  laid  down 
by  the  machine  guns  was  impassable.  Nevertheless,  the  organiza- 
tion was  perfectly  maintained  and  the  men  dug  in  along  the  edge 
of  the  Bois  des  Loges.  On  the  left,  the  311th  and  312th  Infantry 
were  able  to  attack  the  Ferme  des  Loges  with  grenades  and  put  out 
a  number  of  the  guns. 

Thus  at  5.30  A.  M.,  the  thin  attacking  lines  of  the  155th 
Brigade,  (it  must  be  remembered  that  the  previous  two  weeks  con- 
tinuous severe  fighting  had  reduced  the  units  of  the  division  to  less 
than  half  their  normal  man  power)  went  over  preceded  by  a  rolling 
barrage,  from  their  shelters  on  the  side  of  the  St.  Juvin-Grandpre 
road.  They  went  quickly  up  the  gentle  slope  and  across  the  open 
ground  south  of  the  woods;  unhesitatingly  they  continued  in  the 
face  of  the  enemy  counter-barrage  and  withering  machine  gun  fire 
and  in  little  more  than  thirty  minutes  were  entering  the  Bois  des 
Loges  and  plunging  headlong  through  the  underbrush  and  driving 
the  Germans  before  them.  Now,  the  enemy  machine  gunners  in 
the  southern  edge  of  the  woods  were  quickly  routed  and  those 
surviving  hastily  retreated  northward  without  waiting  for  our  men 
to  close  with  them. 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  147 

Splendidly  did  the  driving  attack  progress  until  the  unim- 
proved road  running  east  and  west  through  the  woods  was  reached; 
here  further  progress  was  checked  by  murderous  machine  gun  fire 
from  countless  German  Maxims  echeloned  in  depth  to  the  front 
and  on  the  heights  to  the  northwest.  Such  was  the  natural  strength 
of  the  German  positions,  combined  with  the  admirable  advantage 
he  had  taken  of  the  terrain,  coupled  with  his  ingenious  method  of 
cover  that  our  previous  artillery  preparation  in  the  Bois  des  Loges 
was  a  wasted  effort.  Everywhere  numerous  shell  craters  were  in 
evidence  and  so  were  the  barking,  snapping  German  machine  guns. 
During  the  heavy  artillery  concentrations,  they  had  promptly  with- 
drawn their  guns  until  the  storm  had  passed.  As  in  the  fighting 
around  Grandpre,  they  had  dropped  their  guns  into  deep  dugouts 
during  the  bombardments  and  with  cables  hoisted  them  to  turn 
on  the  advancing  infantry  immediately  after  the  bombardment 
was  over. 

The  front  line  of  the  right  brigade  was  thus  held  up  all  day  of 
November  1st  and  suffered  heavy  casualties.  A  definite  attempt 
was  made  at  one-thirty  to  advance  against  the  hostile  machine  gun 
positions  but  the  accompanying  barrage  was  light  and  no  progress 
was  made.  The  front  line  units  were  so  depleted  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  send  wounded  men  to  the  rear  and  it  was  not  until  late  that 
night  that  they  could  be  moved.  Much  suffering  resulted  and 
everyone,  whether  wounded  or  not,  spent  a  day  and  a  night  doing 
one  of  the  most  difficult  of  all  war  jobs — the  job  of  sitting  still  under 
nearly  continuous  fire.  The  enemy  had  very  clearly  taken  full 
advantage  of  the  naturally-strong  positions  he  held;  every  road, 
trail  and  by-way  of  the  woods  was  in  perfect  enfilade. 

In  the  156th  Brigade,  the  front  line  was  held  by  two  battalions 
of  the  311th  Infantry.  The  3rd  Battalion  under  Major  Cooke, 
reinforced  by  a  machine  gun  company,  was  to  remain  in  position 
holding  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne  from  Talma  to 
a  point  about  700  yards  northwest  of  Belle joyeuse  Ferme,  and 
maintain  liaison  with  the  French  on  our  left.  The  2nd  Battalion, 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Budd,  in  position  along  the  ridge  extend- 
ing north  from  Grandpre  and  connecting  with  the  right  of  the  3rd 
Battalion,  jumped  off  at  the  appointed  hour.  Its  first  objective 
was  a  general  east  and  west  line  connecting  the  northwest  point  of 
Bois  des  Loges  with  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne.  The  attack  of  this 
battalion  was  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  across  deep,  open  valleys 
and  ravines ;  every  foot  of  the  ground  being  swept  by  enemy  machine 
guns  from  the  high  ground  to  the  north  and  east.  The  most  serious 
difficulty  was  encountered  in  attempting  to  get  across  the  valley 
immediately  north  of  Bellejoyeuse  Ferme,  for  the  ridge  extending 
from  the  point  of  the  Bois  des  Loges  was  strongly  held  by  the  enemy 
and  their  flanking  fire  throughout  the  early  part  of  the  day  could 


On  the  edge  of  the  Argonne  Forest — building  at  LA  BESOGNE  used  as  a 
Command  Post. 


Type  of  German  concrete  dugouts,  CHAMP  MAHOUT  in  the  Argonne  Forest. 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  149 

not  be  overcome.  By  late  afternoon,  however,  the  right  company 
succeeded  in  working  up  the  ridge  from  the  road  west  of  Ferme  des 
Loges  and  the  311th  Infantry  attained  its  objective. 

Night  came  and  with  it  a  new  plan  of  attack.  The  way  was 
now  open;  the  Bois  des  Loges  was  to  be  attacked  from  the  west. 
The  312th  Infantry  moved  up  during  the  night  into  position  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ferme  de  Loges,  to  strike  this  stronghold  on  the  flank 
at  the  same  time  that  the  155th  Brigade  renewed  its  attack  from 
the  south.  The  Bois  des  Loges,  as  one  of  the  enemy's  main  points 
of  resistance  was  doomed,  and  the  Germans  knew  it. 

With  the  morning  light  the  front  lines  moved  forward.  Stead- 
ily through  the  thick  woods  they  advanced  without  a  suggestion 
of  opposition.  Men  who  had  dodged  and  crawled  and  walked 
between  bullets  half  the  night  could  not  believe  their  senses  until 
they  came  on  the  tangible  evidence  of  the  retreat.  Deep  buried 
in  the  woods,  carefully  dug  and  skillfully  protected,  were  the  count- 
less dugouts  and  emplacements.  Beside  the  Maxims  and  plentiful 
supplies  of  ammunition,  the  Germans  in  their  haste  had  left  helmets, 
packs,  pistols,  personal  equipment,  wine  and  maps  in  reckless  and 
wholesale  abandon.  But  of  themselves  there  were  none  except 
here  and  there  a  body  shattered  out  of  human  resemblance  by  our 
artillery.  So  ended  the  worst  of  their  rear  guard  action  by  a  quiet, 
sudden  withdrawal  of  the  last  gunners  during  the  early  morning 
hours  of  November  2nd. 

No  time  was  lost  in  taking  up  the  pursuit,  one  feature  of 
which  was  to  immediately  load  a  detachment  consisting  of  several 
companies  of  the  311th  and  312th  Infantry  and  one  from  the  307th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  into  motor  trucks  and  rush  them  forward 
until  stopped  by  mined  roads  and  blown  out  bridges  north  of 
Briquenay. 

The  Germans  had  developed  a  most  complete  system  of  light 
railway  transport  and  veritable  networks  of  these  light,  narrow- 
gauge  lines  were  constructed  by  them,  supplementing  the  standard 
rail  lines  they  had  won  from  the  French  in  the  early  advances  of 
the  war.  One  of  their  terminals,  with  great  trackage  and  sidings, 
was  located  midway  between  le  Morthomme  and  Briquenay  on 
the  fringe  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne.  So  under  the  tremendous 
pressure  of  our  two  days  artillery  preparation  and  the  driving 
attack  of  November  1st,  the  Germans  quietly  loaded  on  trains  the 
bulk  of  their  forces  that  had  been  doggedly  holding  this  well-nigh 
impregnable  front  and  speedily  withdrew  them  to  the  rear,  leaving 
only  a  very  light  covering  force  to  follow  afoot.  The  enemy 
reasoned  that  after  three  weeks  of  this  continually  persistent, 
driving,  hammering  blows  and  desperate  thrusts  that  the  "Light- 
ning" Division  would  be  in  no  mood  or  condition  to  press  too  closely 
on  their    heels,    but    notwithstanding,  they  took  every  precaution 


Main  street  of  BOULT  AUX  BOIS. 


Roadfork  at  GERMONT  through  which  our  troops  passed  on  Nov.  2,  1918. 


Cross  roads  and  town  square  at  ALTHE. 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  151 

to  retard  pursuit;  great  trees  which  had  lined  the  roads  were  felled 
criss-cross  in  certain  sections,  numerous  rows  had  been  chopped 
with  a  huge  V  near  the  base,  ready  to  be  dropped,  but  the  installa- 
tion of  the  necessary  spark  wire  and  explosive  discharge  were 
neglected  in  their  haste.  Roads  were  blown  up,  bridges  destroyed 
and  the  steel  rails  at  close  intervals  shattered  and  twisted  by  explo- 
sive charges. 

Our  infantry  could  advance  through  the  shell  torn  fields  in, 
around  and  through  the  numerous  craters  that  dotted  the  land- 
scape, but  the  farther  they  went,  the  farther  the  transport  must  go 
to  provide  them  with  rations  and  ammunition.  Therefore  the 
ability  of  a  division  to  continue  pursuit  after  the  "break  through," 
indispensibly  required  most  efficient  arrangements  at  the  rear. 
These  happily  we  had.  Engineers  were  prompt  in  clearing  up  and 
repairing  the  shattered  roads  and  hastily  constructing  temporary 
bridges;  the  artillery  and  transport  personnel  assisting  in  this  work 
of  construction,  and  then  pushing  on  in  the  vain  effort  to  keep  right 
up  with  the  advancing  infantry.  Signal  troops  rolled  and  unrolled 
reel  after  reel  of  wire  for  communication,  but  try  hard  as  they 
could,  it  was  impossible  for  the  auxiliary  forces  to  keep  up. 

All  day  the  advance  of  our  infantry  units  was  steady  and 
rapid.  Night  brought  the  front  line  to  a  point  in  front  of  Briquenay 
stretching  through  the  northern  edge  of  the  Thenorgues  Woods. 
The  advance  was  so  fast  that  all  communications  with  the  rear, 
including,  of  course,  ration  and  ammunition  supply,  had  been 
temporarily  cut  off.  The  night  was  cold  and  a  constant  drizzling 
rain  wet  and  chilled  the  men.  On  the  right  a  few  machine  gun 
bullets  came  over  showing  that  we  were  catching  up  with  the  Ger- 
man retreat.  The  night  was  very  uncomfortable.  Our  forces  were 
so  depleted  that  the  two  regiments  of  the  155th.  Brigade  now 
under  command  of  Brigadier  General  Sanford  B.  Stanberry,  (General 
Hersey  having  been  promoted  to  Major  General  and  assigned  to 
command  of  4th  Division,  October  27th)  altogether  numbered  a  little 
less  than  the  strength  of  a  single  regiment,  while  practically  the 
same  was  true  of  the  156th  Brigade.  The  men  were  hungry.  Many 
of  them  had  nothing  to  eat  since  morning;  there  was  one  unit, 
however,  that  had  been  lucky  enough  to  cross  a  flourishing  German 
cabbage  patch  and  picked  cabbages  as  they  went  through. 

On  the  left,  contact  was  gained  with  the  enemy  just  as  he  was 
withdrawing  from  Boult-aux-Bois.  A  patrol,  followed  by  Company 
C,  312th,  entered  the  town  and  followed  the  Germans  north  to 
Belleville-sur-Bar,  which  they  captured  at  noon.  At  Boult-aux- 
Bois,  our  men  joined  up  with  the  happy,  rejoicing  French  troops, 
who  had  come  up  on  the  west  side  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne. 
Further  east  other  troops  of  the  312th,  under  Major  Andreason, 
had  driven  the  enemy  out  of  Germont  at  9.30  A.  M.,  and  then 


152  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

advanced  detachments  north  through  Authe  toward  Brieulles-sur- 
Bar  and  west  toward  Chatillon-sur-Bar.  On  this  day  the  311th 
Infantry  (less  its  3rd  Battahon)  advanced  on  the  right  of  the  312th, 
and  occupied  BrieuUes-sur-Bar  at  6.30  P.  M.  with  its  leading  bat- 
talion. The  remainder  of  the  regiment  halted  for  the  night  at 
Germont. 

On  the  right,  the  310th  and  309th  Infantry  moved  due  north 
through  Autruche.  As  the  first  men  climbed  the  ridge  south  of  that 
town  they  waved  their  arms  and  shouted  back  that  the  war  was 
over.  Truly  there  appeared  to  be  ground  for  their  conjecture,  for 
the  town  presented  an  amazing  spectacle.  From  every  window, 
church  steeple  and  house  top  sheets,  towels  and  clothing  had  been 
hung  to  do  duty  as  white  flags.  But  a  few  men,  wiser  than  the  rest, 
soon  quieted  that  rumor.  The  truce  flags  merely  showed  that  the 
town  still  held  French  civilians  who  thus  pleaded  with  us  at  long 
range  not  to  fire  upon  them. 

In  the  late  afternoon,  the  units  which  had  reached  the  ridge 
south  of  Verrieres  became  convinced  that  the  war  was  not  yet  over. 
Some  machine  guns  held  the  opposite  ridge  and  the  town  was  still 
occupied  by  Germans.  Major  Segarra  immediately  entered  the 
town  with  the  two  front  line  battalions  of  the  309th  and  following 
brief  guerilla  warfare,  captured  it.  Two  guns  of  the  308th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  and  a  one-pounder  supported  him  by  opening  heavy 
fire.  The  range  had  to  be  guessed  at  because  the  advance  had  gone 
off  the  map  carried  by  our  oflScers,  but  the  moral  effect  was  good 
and  the  Boche  soon  withdrew. 

One  dramatic  incident  marked  the  entry  into  Verrieres.  The 
Germans  in  their  retreat  delivered  a  parting  blow  to  the  civilian 
inhabitants,  who  for  four  years  had  endured  their  tyranny,  by 
setting  fire  to  three  of  the  houses.  When  our  men  entered  the 
main  street  just  at  dusk  they  found,  standing  between  the  flaming 
houses  a  little  group  of  Frenchmen  singing  the  "Marseillaise." 
They  thronged  about  the  Americans  as  they  came  in,  shouting 
"Vive  I'Amerique,"  "Nous  sommes  biens  sauves  par  les  Ameri- 
cains!"     It  was  their  first  knowledge  that  America  was  in  the  war. 

Hunger  was  relieved  at  Verrieres  by  unlimited  quantities  of 
"sawdust"  German  bread  and  "ersatz"  coffee;  thirst,  too,  by  grati- 
fying bottles  of  "red  ink."  That  night,  in  the  rain,  the  men  dug  in 
on  the  ridge  north  of  the  town  and  enjoyed  a  short  snatch  of  sleep, 
warm  despite  the  rain,  in  bundles  of  captured  straw. 

Through  the  night  artillery  fire  on  Verrieres  told  us  that  we 
had  at  last  caught  up  with  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy.  By  this 
time  "contact"  was  our  sole  objective  and  speed  the  most  important 
requisite.  So  during  the  night  plans  were  made  for  a  rapid  road 
march  the  next  day  with  units  in  close  order.  The  plan  never 
materialized. 


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154  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

On  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  the  point  of  the  road  march — 
the  155th  Brigade  Reserve  which  had  leap  frogged  the  front  hne 
battaHons — ran  into  severe  resistance  in  the  Sy  Woods.  We  had 
gained  close  contact  with  the  German  rear  guard,  and  here  they 
made  a  stubborn  stand,  backed  up  with  close  support  of  numerous 
light  artillery  pieces.  It  for  a  time  appeared  that  the  Germans  had 
decided  to  make  a  determined  stand  along  the  Tannay-G.  des 
Armoises-La  Berliere  Road.  General  Sanford  B.  Stanberry,  com- 
mander of  the  155th  Brigade  and  his  adjutant  kept  right  up  with 
his  front  line  infantry  and  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  started  to 
move  his  post  of  command  from  BrieuUes-sur-Bar  to  Verrieres, 
where  Colonel  Morgan  of  the  309th  Infantry  and  Colonel  Babcock 
of  the  310th  Infantry  had  just  established  themselves,  when  several 
enemy  artillery  pieces  opened  on  the  general  and  his  party  as  they 
were  about  to  enter  the  Bois  de  Sy.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
first  heavy  artillery  fire  from  the  German  guns  since  the  pursuit 
started  and  it  was  quickly  followed  by  rapid  firing  of  enemy  gas  and 
high  explosive  shells  into  the  valley  north  and  east  of  BrieuUes-sur- 
Bar  and  the  town  itself,  where  many  of  the  old  French  natives  had 
been  left  by  the  hastily  departing  Germans. 

General  McRae  and  his  Division  Operations  Staff  had  in  the 
morning  established  the  Division  Post  of  Command  in  the  Town 
Hall  of  Brieulles — the  General  remarked  how  comforting  it  was  to 
find  a  building  intact  with  the  glass  windows  still  in  good  shape, 
and  but  a  short  while  later  a  number  of  heavy  German  shells  had 
shattered  the  roof  and  walls  of  adjoining  buildings.  He  was  busily 
engaged  with  maps  planning  to  continue  the  driving  advance  and 
oblivious  of  danger,  he  remained  on  the  second  floor  of  the  old  town 
hall  until  he  had  completed  his  task,  but  in  the  meantime,  scores  of 
nearby  buildings  had  been  shattered  and  many  men  passing  through 
the  streets  and  seeking  shelter  in  doorways  had  been  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  German  rear  guard  had  mined  the  wide,  filled  road  cover- 
ing a  stretch  of  nearly  one-half  kilometer  from  the  road  fork  just 
north  of  Briuelles  to  the  fork  near  the  southwest  tongue  of  the 
Bois  de  Sy.  It  was  an  exceptionally  fine  piece  of  rear  guard 
strategy,  as  it  effectively  blocked  the  advance  of  our  artillery  and 
transport.  The  heavy  charges  had  blown  the  immense  rock 
boulders  forming  the  road  bed  far  to  either  side  and  left  huge, 
gaping  holes  at  intervals  of  about  20  yards.  The  always  alert 
303rd  Engineers  lost  no  time  in  getting  their  forces  to  work  and 
hastily  began  the  construction  of  a  corduroy  road  crossing  the  low, 
swampy  marsh  ground  alongside  the  ruined  portions,  which  enabled 
our  pirate  guns  to  proceed.  This  work  the  Engineers  did  while 
under  German  observation  and  deadly  shell  fire;  their  rapid,  skillful 
work,  however,  kept  their  casualties  down  to  the  minimum. 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  155 

Colonel  Fisher,  then  commanding  the  307th  Field  Artillery, 
drove  up  in  his  Dodge  car  and  was  checked  at  the  road  fork  by  the 
wrecked  road;  alighting  from  the  car  he  directed  the  chauffeur  to 
return  to  Brieulles  and  await  him  there;  he  had  barely  left  the  car 
to  proceed  forward  afoot  when  a  German  H.  E.  shell  landed  in  front 
of  the  machine,  instantly  killing  the  driver  and  shattering  the  car. 

All  day  of  the  4th,  our  line  on  the  right  of  the  Division,  was 
held,  and  that  night  the  enemy  after  many  severe  skirmishes  again 
withdrew.  Patrols  were  promptly  sent  forward  and  occupied  the 
town  of  Sy. 

On  the  left,  however,  the  156th  Brigade  continued  its  advance 
throughout  the  day,  and  by  night  the  advance  battalion  of  the 
311th  Infantry  was  in  possession  of  Les  Petites  Armoises,  which 
was  occupied  after  some  opposition  by  enemy  rear  guard.  Leading 
elements  of  the  312th  Infantry  also  reached  this  place,  advancing 
via  Bazan court  Farm  from  Chatillon  and  maintaining  contact  with 
the  French. 

On  the  morning  of  November  5th  the  advance  of  this  Brigade 
was  continued,  and  Tanney  was  occupied  at  an  early  hour  by  the 
311th  Infantry.  Strong  opposition  was  met  two  kilometers  north 
of  Tanney,  at  the  entrance  to  the  Bois  du  Mont  Dieu.  The  enemy 
had  evidently  determined  to  make  a  stand  at  this  woods  on  the 
road  leading  north  from  Tanney.  Advance  patrols  were  deployed 
both  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  road  to  drive  out  the  machine  guns 
which  were  holding  up  the  advance.  The  312th  Infantry  occupied 
the  line  to  the  northwest  of  Tanney,  connecting  with  the  French, 
who  in  the  meantime  had  advanced  abreast  of  our  line,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Ardennes  Canal. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  5th  our  line  therefore  extended,  on 
the  left,  from  the  Ardennes  Canal  northwest  of  Tanney,  across  the 
Tanney-Sedan  road  just  south  of  the  Bois  du  Mont  Dieu,  along 
the  high  ground  east  of  Tanney,  and  thence  southeast  through  the 
town  of  Sy. 

On  the  fifth,  the  42nd  Division,  which  had  been  frantically 
pursuing  us  from  the  rear,  finally  caught  up  and  brought  their 
troops  into  our  positions  and  relieved  the  front  line,  located  as  given 
above. 

Thus  ended  the  war  for  the  Seventy-eighth  Division,  except 
for  the  153rd  Artillery  Brigade,  which  continued  the  advance  in 
support  of  the  42nd  Division. 

Another  kind  of  road  march  began  the  night  of  the  fifth. 
It  was  a  happy  march  for  men,  tired  with  two  months'  almost 
continuous  fighting.  Physical  and  mental  exhaustion,  blistered 
feet  and  aching  backs  were  forgotten  in  the  knowledge  that  the  last 
great  battle  of  the  war  was  in  its  final  stages  and  in  keen  satisfaction 
for  their  part  in  the  work.     Warm  billets  and  hot  food  from  field 


Part  of  main  road  from  BRIEULLES  surBAR  to  VERRIERES,  mined  and 
blown  up  by  Germans  on  Nov.  2,  1918. 


Cross  Roads  in  CHATTILON  sur  BAR. 


Road  fork  at  TANNAY  reached  by  156th  Inf.  Brigade  on  Nov.  4,  1918. 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  157 

kitchens,  and,  in  the  days  that  followed,  hot  baths  and  clean  clothes 
brought  back  strength  and  comfort.  It  was  "a  grand  and  glorious 
feeling"  to  go  back  through  the  scenes  of  our  bitter  fighting;  shat- 
tered Champigneulles,  the  deadly  stronghold  of  flanking  machine 
guns;  sinister  St.  Juvin,  so  lately  redolent  of  phosgene  and  all  the 
dead  smell  of  war,  now  full  of  the  life  of  supply  trains  and  snappily 
uniformed  M.  P.'s;  the  Grandpre  road,  a  veritable  replica  of  Broad- 
way in  the  rush  hour,  with  its  mass  of  crowded  traffic,  and  finally, 
Marcq,  with  its  baths  and  billets — truly  we  were  on  our  way  home! 

ARTILLERY  SUPPORT 

The  relief  of  the  152nd  Artillery  Brigade  (77th  Division) 
began  on  the  morning  of  October  16th.  The  batteries  crossed  the 
Argonne  Forest  to  Lancon  during  the  day  and  bivouacked  for  the 
night  in  the  ravines  east  of  the  town.  Visibility  was  so  low  the 
next  day  that  the  batteries  were  placed  in  position  during  daylight 
and  the  relief,  which  would  have  been  very  difficult  in  the  darkness, 
due  to  road  congestion  and  the  terrain  around  the  battery  positions, 
was  greatly  facilitated. 

During  this  tour  of  duty,  the  ordinary  operations  of  the  155th 
Infantry  Brigade  were  supported  by  the  307th  Field  Artillery,  and 
those  of  the  156th  Infantry  Brigade  by  the  308th  Field  Artillery, 
with  emergency  zones  for  both  regiments  to  the  east  and  west  a 
distance  equal  to  their  normal  sector.  The  309th  Field  Artillery 
covered  the  Division  sector  normally  and  to  the  maximum  range 
of  their  batteries  in  emergencies.  This  regiment  was  especially 
charged  with  counter-battery  and  harrassing  fire.  The  regiments 
were  ordered  to  be  ready  for  a  sudden  advance  under  conditions  of 
open  warfare.  Ammunition  supply  was  not  limited,  but  the  neces- 
sity of  avoiding  needless  expenditure  was  emphasized  in  view  of 
the  amount  available. 

Two  exceptional  operations  were  carried  out  by  the  Brigade 
while  in  line.  The  first  was  the  attack  on  the  stronghold  of  Grand- 
pre, October  23rd  to  27th,  inclusive,  and  the  second,  the  general 
offensive  of  November  1st. 

The  attack  on  Grandpre  did  not  necessitate  change  of  battery 
positions,  but  the  diflSculties  of  liaison  across  the  valley  and  stream 
of  the  Aire  River  were  great.  The  artillery  support  consisted  of  a 
preparation  and  an  accompaniment.  The  preparation  was  in  the 
form  of  destruction  fire  on  selected  targets,  neutralization  with  gas 
shells  on  localities  where  machine  gun  nests  were  known  to  be; 
interdiction  fire  on  enemy  observatories  and  known  posts  of  com- 
mand; countering  of  enemy  batteries,  and  the  prohibition  of  enemy 
re-enforcement  by  harrassing  fire  on  the  lines  of  communication 
behind  the  front  attacked.  The  accompaniment  consisted  of  raking 
fire  on  the  enemy  strong  points  in  front  of  the  advance  and  a  rolling 


158  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

barrage  preceding  the  infantry  attack.  Smoke  shell  was  also  used 
to  screen  the  attack  from  machine  gun  fire.  The  final  objective 
was  not  attained  the  first  day,  but  the  attack  renewed  on  October 
25th  with  a  brief  artillery  preparation,  secured  the  key  positions, 
and  the  "mopping  up"  was  completed  early  on  the  27th. 

The  higher  artillery  command  recognized  the  peculiar  difii- 
culties  of  the  mission  of  the  78th  Division  in  the  attack  of  November 
1st  by  giving  it  more  re-enforcements  and  a  greater  ammunition 
allowance  than  any  other  divisional  artillery.  In  addition  to 
twenty-four  batteries  of  75  Mm.,  six  batteries  of  155  Mm.,  and  two 
batteries  of  9.2'sj  several  groups  of  heavy  corps  artillery  were 
assigned  for  the  use  of  the  division  during  stated  periods  of  the 
attack. 

The  two  phases  of  the  operation  were  a  bombardment  to 
assist  in  breaking  the  enemy  resistance,  and  the  advance  of  bat- 
teries following  up  the  enemy  retirement.  The  bombardment  began 
on  October  30th,  when  the  two  light  regiments  of  the  brigade  fired 
nearly  40,000  rounds  of  mustard  gas  (No.  20  Special  Shell)  into  the 
eastern  edges  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne,  thus  neutralizing  the  heights 
which  flanked  the  proposed  advance.  The  firing  of  this  amount  of 
ammunition  in  one  day  by  48  field  guns  on  a  range  in  peace  time 
would  be  in  itself  a  feat,  but  when  it  is  considered  that  these  regi- 
ments actually  fired  at  barrage  rate  for  twelve  (12)  hours  without 
suffering  a  casualty  or  disabling  a  gun,  it  is  indeed  remarkable. 
Almost  from  the  beginning  of  the  "shoot,"  the  enemy  counter- 
batteries  searched  for  their  positions.  Several  gun  crews  worked 
for  extended  periods  with  their  gas  masks  on,  but  the  camouflage 
work  done  and  the  excellence  of  the  positions  selected  prevented 
the  enemy  fire  from  being  effective.  No  gun  went  out  of  action 
during  this  part  of  the  preparation  for  any  cause.  Destruction  fire 
began  two  hours  before  the  attack  on  selected  enemy  strong-points 
and  a  concentration  of  fire  of  all  calibres  on  the  Bois  des  Loges. 
The  fire  for  accompaniment  began  simultaneously  with  the  attack 
and  took  the  form  of  a  rolling  barrage  and  raking  fire. 

The  advance  of  the  batteries  was  particularly  difficult  because 
the  Aire  River  had  to  be  crossed  and  a  considerable  distance 
travelled  before  satisfactory  positions  could  be  found.  A  schedule 
for  the  advance  of  batteries  was  planned  so  as  to  regulate  the  use  of 
roads  and  bridges  and  the  assignment  of  areas.  Assuming  that 
the  attack  progressed  as  planned,  the  first  batteries  were  to  move 
forward  three  hours  after  the  action  began.  When  this  time  came, 
it  was  not  known  that  the  attack  had  been  held  up  in  the  Bois  des 
Loges  and  the  batteries  moved  according  to  schedule.  Two  hours 
later,  a  regiment  of  light  and  two  battalions  of  heavy  artillery  were 
on  the  south  bank  of  the  Aire.  They  took  positions  where  they  were 
and  delivered  very  successful  fire  the  rest  of  the  day.     The  only 


C/2 


160  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

artillery  to  cross  the  Aire  on  November  1st  was  the  2nd  Battalion 
of  the  309th  Field  Artillery,  which  crossed  at  Termes  and  took  up 
position  just  south  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne,  west  of  Grandpre. 
While  in  this  position  the  enemy  fired  upon  them  with  machine 
guns.  The  next  day  the  batteries  were  able  to  resume  their  advance 
and  thereafter  the  operations  turned  into  open  warfare. 

The  part  of  the  artillery  after  crossing  the  Aire  River  was 
practically  nothing  but  a  series  of  marches  northward.  The  only 
fire  of  consequence  delivered  was  by  the  2nd  Battalion  of  the  307th 
Regiment,  which  from  the  heights  north  of  Verrieres  fired  a  thous- 
and rounds  on  retreating  bodies  of  the  enemy  during  the  night  of 
November  4th. 

One  15  Mm.  gun  was  sent  forward  at  the  beginning  of  the 
second  day  with  each  front  line  battalion  of  infantry.  Only  one 
of  the  four  ever  fired  a  shot.  This  gun,  commanded  by  First  Lieu- 
tenant Paul  G.  Amberg  of  the  307th  F.  A.,  was  of  considerable 
assistance  to  the  battalion  it  supported.  The  efficient  service  of 
this  gun  was  due  to  the  fact  that  both  the  gun  commander  and  the 
infantry  commander  fully  appreciated  the  part  each  should  play 
in  the  situation. 

The  artillery  support  varied  greatly  in  effectiveness  according 
to  the  place.  Had  the  weather  permitted  more  observation  and  had 
more  work  been  possible  with  the  air  service,  the  artillery  would 
have  been  more  effective.  It  was  not  effective  in  the  Bois  des  Loges 
in  any  of  the  attacks,  due  in  large  measure  to  the  natural  strength 
of  the  position,  and  to  the  fact  that  observation  in  the  scrub  growth 
was  difficult  even  in  the  clearest  weather.  Fire  was  more  effective 
in  reducing  the  citadel  of  Grandpre  and  was  of  great  assistance  in 
the  operations  leading  to  the  capture  of  Talma  Hill  and  the  south- 
ern edge  of  the  Bois  de  Bourgogne.  Preparatory  to  the  advance  on 
November  1st,  the  artillery  "y  peri  ted"  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Bois 
de  Bourgogne  and  sensitive  points  further  to  the  west.  This  opera- 
tion was  completely  successful.  No  casualties  are  known  to  have 
been  suffered  by  our  troops  from  the  yperite  used  at  this  time, 
and  absolutely  no  opposition  was  encountered  from  the  Bois  de 
Bourgogne.  Shooting  on  back  areas,  as  observed  after  the  advance, 
appeared  to  have  been  accurate  and  effective.  The  liaison  officers 
with  the  infantry  units  were  consistently  daring  and  aggressive  in 
their  attempts  to  assist  the  attacks.  During  the  advance  after  the 
1st,  artillery  liaison  officers  continued  to  keep  up  with  the  leading 
units,  but,  except  for  a  few  pirate  guns,  the  artillery  could  not  maintain 
the  pace  of  the  infantry  because  of  the  mined  roads,  though  their  fire 
was  always  available  in  the  event  of  a  serious  counter-attack. 

303rd  ENGINEERS 

The  work  of  the  Engineers  during  the  St.  Mihiel  Offensive, 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  161 

and  throughout  our  stay  in  the  Limey  Sector,  was  of  paramount 
importance.  From  September  12th  to  17th,  the  entire  Regiment 
worked  on  the  repair  and  maintenance  of  roads  in  "No  Man's 
Land"  from  the  Metz  Highway  on  the  southeast,  to  Euvezin  and 
Vieville  on  the  northwest,  particularly  on  the  Thiaucourt-Regnie- 
ville-Montauville,  and  the  Remenauville-Limey  Roads,  under  com- 
mand of  the  Corps  Engineer;  this  work  being  necessary  because 
speed  was  absolutely  essential  in  the  infantry  attack,  in  order  to 
keep  up  with  the  barrage  tables.  This  work  brought  our  men 
directly  under  enemy  observation,  causing  the  first  division  casual- 
ties incurred  as  a  unit.  On  the  17th,  they  started  work  on  the  lay- 
out and  construction  of  the  "Line  of  Resistance"  in  the  sector 
assigned  to  the  78th  Division,  from  Xammes  on  the  left  to  one-half 
kilometer  east  of  Tautecourt  Farm  on  the  right.  They  took  part 
in  several  raids,  for  the  purpose  of  dynamiting  enemy  strong-points 
and  at  all  times  their  service  and  liaison  with  the  infantry  was 
highly  satisfactory.  Repair  and  maintenance  of  front  and  back 
area  roads  for  communication  and  supply  was  of  utmost  import- 
ance, and  various  engineer  companies  were  assigned  to  this  duty 
day  and  night  for  the  period  of  our  stay  in  this  sector.  They  also 
built  bath  houses,  supervised  the  water  supply,  built  dugouts, 
etc.,  for  various  headquarters. 

Up  to  the  time  of  leaving  this  sector,  the  organization  of  the 
position  had  been  but  begun  as  far  as  actual  work  was  concerned. 
However,  the  project  was  worked  up  and  embraced  the  entire 
defensive  position  for  the  Divisional  Sector,  including  dugouts  and 
shelters  for  the  outpost  zone  and  support  trenches,  as  well  as  for 
the  more  permanent  structures  in  the  reserve  areas  for  men  and 
animals.  This  project  was  approved,  but  before  material  arrived, 
the  Division  was  hastily  moved  to  assist  in  the  heavy  Argonne 
fighting. 

In  the  Meuse-Argonne  Offensive,  the  Engineers  were  very 
efficient.  Before  November  1st,  two  companies  repaired  the  roads 
in  the  division  sector  from  Apremont  to  Lancon,  and  from  St.  Juvin 
to  Grandpre,  particularly  those  for  motor  traffic,  transport  of 
ammunition  to  batteries  and  evacuation  of  the  wounded  from 
forward  areas.  One  company  repaired  the  light  railway  system  in 
the  sector.  About  eight  kilometers  of  line  from  southwest  of 
Lancon  to  Senuc  was  put  into  condition  for  running  trains.  From 
Senuc  to  Grandpre,  another  eight  kilometers  of  track  under  constant 
observation  by  the  enemy  was  put  in  such  shape  that  it  required 
very  little  work  to  keep  it  in  condition  for  operation.  The  railway 
from  Lancon  to  La  Besogne  (about  ten  kilometers  long)  was  so 
repaired  that  it  was  in  shape  for  immediate  operation  on  November 
1st.  On  this  line,  two  trestles  had  to  be  built  and  five  others 
repaired.     The  railway  was  running  into  Chevieres  on  the  night  of 


162  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

the  2nd,  thus  facilitating  the  supply  of  the  advancing  troops  very 
appreciably. 

The  other  three  companies  worked  upon  twenty-three  bridges 
across  the  Aire  River  between  St.  Juvin  and  Termes.  These  bridges 
were  all  within  reach  of  enemy  artillery  and  the  heavy  traffic  bridges 
were  built  under  machine  gun,  high  explosive  and  gas  shell  fire. 
The  flooring  of  these  bridges  was  begun  on  the  night  of  October  31st, 
and  finished  fifteen  minutes  after  the  attack  began  the  following 
morning. 

When  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  began,  the  work  of  the  engi- 
neers on  the  roads  became  of  the  greatest  importance.  The  First 
Battalion  pushed  ahead  behind  the  infantry  making  temporary 
repairs  in  order  to  permit  the  use  of  the  roads  for  the  most  urgent 
needs.  The  Second  Battalion  following,  making  more  substantial 
repairs  and  preparing  the  roads  and  bridges  for  heavy  motor  traffic. 

The  roads  in  general  were  in  good  shape  except  at  strategic 
points,  such  as  fills,  which  the  enemy  had  systematically  mined. 
All  bridges  had  been  blown  up.  When  the  division  was  relieved,  the 
roads  were  repaired  beyond  Chatillon  and  Brieulles.  The  road 
north  of  Brieulles  had  been  blown  up  in  fifteen  places  where  there 
was  a  swamp  on  both  sides.  This  stretch  was  repaired  by  cor- 
duroying and  building  temporary  bridges,  so  that  the  necessary 
artillery  and  transport  of  the  42nd  and  6th  Divisions  could  move 
forward  with  their  troops.  One  company  worked  upon  a  heavy 
traffic  bridge  at  Authe  until  it  was  completed  on  the  8th  of  Novem- 
ber. Forty  men  in  two  details  assisted  the  Signal  Battalion  to  run 
and  maintain  its  wires  from  Grandpre  to  Briquenay.  The  motor 
trucks  of  the  Engineers  were  used  on  the  night  of  November  2nd 
to  transport  troops  as  far  as  the  roads  were  repaired,  and  thus  per- 
mitted them  to  reach  Boult-aux-Bois  ahead  of  the  French. 

All  these  various  tasks  were  handled  by  this  Regiment  not 
only  boldy  and  quickly,  but  with  good  judgment  and  foresight. 

SUMMARY 

A  brief  summing  up  of  gains  and  losses  closes  the  story  of  the 
November  First  "show."  Nine  enemy  divisions  faced  the  "Lightning" 
78th  during  its  operations  on  the  Argonne  Front.  Our  troops  cap- 
tured 322  prisoners,  of  whom  6  were  officers  and  36  non-commissioned 
officers.  Before  November  1st,  the  division  had  captured  about  40 
machine  guns.  After  the  attack  began,  it  was  impossible  to  esti- 
mate the  captures  as  the  advance  was  so  rapid. 

The  price  the  78th  had  to  pay  in  the  Argonne  battle  was  the 
loss  of  4,989  men — skilled,  wounded  and  missing.  Of  the  dead,  16 
were  officers,  785  enlisted  men.  Of  the  wounded,  135  were  officers 
and  4,068  enlisted  men. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  for  the  hardy  spirit  of  the  men  in 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  163 

this  driving  attack.  When  their  physical  strength  had  been  worn 
to  nothing  by  the  difficult  burdens  they  had  borne  and  their  nervous 
energy  exhausted  by  long,  racking  strain,  they  carried  on  by  sheer 
will  power  to  a  brilliant  finish.  Wearied  by  weeks  of  defensive 
fighting  at  St.  Mihiel,  long  marches  with  almost  no  rest,  and  the 
continual  attacks  against  veteran  machine  gun  opposition,  they 
were  able  at  the  end  to  advance  as  the  "point  of  the  wedge"  of  the 
First  American  Army  for  over  twenty-four  kilometers  in  the  last 
offensive  of  the  war. 

Almost  continually  engaged  for  nearly  eight  weeks  in  hard 
marching  or  fighting  the  78th  had  proven  its  mettle.  Although 
not  one  of  the  best  advertised  National  Army  divisions,  it  knew 
how  to  fight  with  grim,  bull-dog  tenacity  against  heavy  odds  and 
persevere  for  success  under  the  skillful  direction  of  its  modest, 
fearless  commander.  Major  General  James  H.  McRae,  thereby 
upholding  the  best  traditions  of  the  American  Army. 

Under  most  unpromising  conditions  it  took  over  a  badly 
shattered  line  facing  a  well-nigh  impregnable  position,  which  was 
considered  the  key  to  the  American  advance  on  Sedan,  and  by  per- 
sistently hammering,  wearing  out  and  finally  driving  in  headlong 
retreat  the  remaining  elements  of  nine  enemy  divisions  which  it 
had  faced  during  operations  in  this  great  offensive,  the  "Lightning" 
Division  thus  contributed  in  full  measure  to  the  final  collapse  of 
the  German  Army,  speeding  the  war's  glorious  end. 


164  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 


DIVISION  HEADQUARTERS 

November    12,    1918. 

MEMORANDUM: 

The  following  telegram  from  the  Commanding  General,  1st  Army,  and  the  comments  by  the 
Corps  Commander  are  republished: 

"Widewing,  Nov.  5-6. 

"Commanding  General,  1st  Corps. 

"Number  238  sec.  G.  S.  The  army  commander  desired  that  you  be  informed  of  his  full 
appreciation  of  the  excellent  work  done  by  your  corps  during  the  last  3  days.  He  realizes  fully 
the  special  efforts  exerted  and  the  spirit  that  has  prompted  the  troops  of  yoiu-  command  during 
these  operations.  The  rapidity  of  the  advance,  notwithstanding  hostile  operations,  has  been 
remarkable  and  prevented  the  enemy  from  reorganizing.  The  result  has  been  to  force  the  enemy 
back  on  his  whole  front.  The  army  commander  desired  that  you  transmit  his  congratulations 
and  appreciation  to  the  troops  of  your  command  for  this  work. 

"DRUM." 

"To  the  foregoing  the  Corps  Commander  desired  to  record  his  warm  congratulations  and 
appreciation  of  the  work  done  by  the  divisions  of  the  Corps. 

"He  desires  that  the  foregoing  commendation  be  communicated  to  all  concerned,  including 
especially  the  engineers,  signalmen,  supply  and  labor  troops,  without  whose  splendid  efforts  the 
results  attained  could  not  have  been  accomplished. 

"By  Command  of  Major  General  Dickman: 

"Malin  Craig, 

"Chief  of  Staff." 

The  Commanding  General  feels  that  the  foregoing  praise  is  well  deserved  by  the  officers  and  men 
of  this  division.  By  their  gallantry,  fortitude  and  perseverance  the  capture  of  the  heights  of  Grand 
Pre,  the  Bois  des  Loges,  and  in  the  subsequent  pursuit  of  the  enemy  in  his  retreat  to  Sedan,  they  merit 
and  are  assured  of  the  gratitude  of  their  country. 

By  Command  of  Major  General  McRae: 

A.  J.  L'Heureux, 

Acting  Adjutant. 


The  Pursuit  Toward  Sedan  165 


G.      H.      Q. 
AMERICAN  EXPEDITIONARY  FORCES 

France,  December  19,  1918. 
GENERAL  ORDERS 

No.  232 

K  It  is  with  a  sense  of  gratitude  for  its  splendid  accomplishment,  which  will  live  through  all  history 
that  I  record  in  General  Orders  a  tribute  to  the  victory  of  the  First  Army  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  battle. 

Tested  and  strengthened  by  the  reduction  of  the  St.  Mihiel  salient,  for  more  than  six  weeks  you 
battered  against  the  pivot  of  the  enemy  line  on  the  western  front.  It  was  a  position  of  imposing  natural 
strength,  stretching  on  both  sides  of  the  Meuse  River  from  the  bitterly  contested  hills  of  Verdun  to 
the  almost  impenetrable  forest  of  the  Argonne;  a  position,  moreover,  fortified  by  four  years  of  labor 
designed  to  render  it  impregnable;  a  position  held  with  the  fullest  resources  of  the  enemy.  That  position 
you  broke  utterly,  and  thereby  hastened  the  collapse  of  the  enemy's  military  power. 

Soldiers  of  all  of  the  divisions  engaged  under  the  First,  Third  and  Fifth  American  Corps  and  the 
Second  Colonial  and  Seventeenth  French  Corps— the  1st,  2nd,  3rd,  4th,  5th,  26th,  28th,  29th,  32nd,  33rd, 
35th,  37th,  42nd,  77th,  78th,  79th,  80th,  81st,  82nd,  89th,  90th  and  91st  American  divisions,  the  18th 
and  26th  Fcench  divisions,  and  the  10th  and  15th  French  Colonial  divisions — you  will  be  long  remember- 
ed for  the  stubborn  resistance  of  your  progress,  your  storming  of  obstinately  defended  machine  gun 
nests,  your  penetration,  yard  by  yard,  of  woods  and  ravines,  your  heroic  resistance  in  the  face  of  counter- 
attacks supported  by  powerful  artillery  fire.  For  more  than  a  month,  from  the  initial  attack  of  Sep- 
tember 26th,  you  fought  your  way  slowly  through  the  Argonne,  through  the  woods  and  over  hills  west 
of  the  Meuse;  you  slowly  enlarged  your  hold  on  the  Cotes  de  Meuse  to  the  east,  and  then,  on  the  1st  of 
November,  your  attack  forced  the  enemy  into  flight.  Pressing  his  retreat,  you  cleared  the  entire  left 
bank  of  the  Meuse  south  of  Sedan,  and  then  stormed  the  heights  on  the  right  bank  and  drove  him  into 
the  plain  beyond. 

Soldiers  of  all  army, and  corps  troops  engaged — to  you  no  less  credit  is  due  your  steadfast  adherence 
to  duty  and  your  dogged  determination  in  the  face  of  all  obstacles  made  possible  the  heroic  deeds 
cited  above. 

The  achievement  of  the  First  Army  which  is  scarcely  to  be  equalled  in  American  history,  must 
remain  a  source  of  proud  satisfaction  to  the  troops  who  participated  in  the  last  campaign  of  the  war. 
The  American  people  will  remember  it  as  the  realization  of  the  hitherto  potential  strength  of  the 
American  contribution  toward  the  cause  to  which  they  had  sworn  allegiance.  There  can  be  no  greater 
reward  for  a  soldier  or  for  a  soldier's  memory. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly  formation  after  its  receipt. 

John  J.  Pershing, 
General,  Commander  in  Chief 
American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
Official: 

Robert  C.  Davis, 
Adjutant  General. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


AFTER  THE  ARMISTICE,  COTE  D'OR  AND  HOME 


JMELY  ARRIVAL  of  American  forces  in  large  numbers  un- 
doubtedly saved  the  Allied  cause  when  it  was  at  lowest 
ebb.  Terrific  fighting  since  1914  with  consequent  heavy 
losses,  had  all  contenders  completely  tired  and  exhausted 
— in  a  comparative  deadlock.  The  fresh  American  divi- 
sions with  their  eager,  vigorous  youth  were  in  the  spring 
of  1918  still  an  unknown  quantity  to  the  Allies  and  their 
foes,  but  the  splendid  way  in  which  they  later  met  the 
best  German  divisions,  stemmed  their  well  planned  ad- 
vances and  routed  them  in  their  first  encounters,  gave 
fresh  courage  and  hope  to  the  Allied  forces.  It  presaged  ultimate 
victory  for  them.  The  fearless,  driving  offensive  style  of  the  "fighting 
Americans"  soon  made  it  clear  that  they  possessed  the  needed  "punch" 
to  finish  the  Hohenzollern  dream  of  conquest. 

With  nearly  one-third  of  its  infantry  strength,  and  a  large 
number  of  its  artillery  and  engineer  personnel  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded  during  close  to  two  months  continuous  combat  activity, 
is  eloquent  testimony  as  to  how  dearly  the  "Lightning"  Division 
paid  and  how  bitterly  it  fought  for  its  credited  advance  of  24  kilo- 
meters over  enemy  ground. 

Taking  over  the  Limey  Sector  from  the  2nd  and  5th  Divisions 
in  mid-September,  consolidating  the  freshly  won  ground  and  main- 
taining American  supremacy  by  numerous  raids  into  enemy  strong- 
holds, all  done  by  the  78th  in  such  an  efficient,  business-like  way, 
merited  the  special  attention  of  General  Headquarters  when  they 
decided  upon  the  urgent  need  of  new  strength  to  batter  the  deter- 
mined enemy  resistance  met  with  in  the  Argonne  Forest.  The 
hurried,  forced  march  of  the  78th  from  the  shattered  Limey  Sector 
on  October  4th  to  the  Argonne  was  indeed  a  stern  test  of  human 
endurance,  to  be  followed  quickly  with  others  more  thrilling  and 
severe  when  they  relieved  the  77th  Division  south  of  the  winding 
River  Aire.  Taking  over  the  line  on  the  16th,  and  immediately 
responding  to  the  urgent  call  of  Army  Headquarters,  "to  divert 
German  strength  from  the  front  of  other  divisions  further  east," 
the  155th  Infantry  Brigade  crossed  the  river — without  time  for 
properly  organizing  an  attack,  and  without  artillery  support — 
plunging  knee  deep  through  mud,  charged  across  the  open  valley 
in  the  face  of  blazing  machine  guns,  and  swept  the  enemy  before 


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168  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

them  to  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  des  Loges,  which  was  destined 
to  become  a  cock-pit  during  succeeding  days.  The  156th  Infantry 
Brigade  on  the  left,  had  the  extremely  difficult  and  costly  task  of 
dislodging  the  Germans  from  their  stronghold  of  Grandpre  and  sur- 
rounding heights.  Vicious  thrusts  and  counter-offensives  along  this 
front  were  continued  vigorously  by  the  78th  for  two  weeks,  all 
hands,  Infantry,  Artillery,  Engineers,  Signal  and  other  branches, 
straining  and  tugging  supremely  to  drive  the  Germans  in  disorder 
out  of  their  strongly  prepared  positions.  Sleep  and  food  were  mere 
incidents — ^little  of  either  were  to  be  had;  these  supermen  were 
eagerly,  viciously  driving  along  on  sheer  nerve  when  their  persistent 
lightning  bolts  had  shattered  the  enemy  lines,  which  finally  gave 
way  and  broke;  then  the  four  day  pursuit  with  its  attendant  strain, 
after  which  the  well-nigh  exhausted  remnants  of  the  "Lightning 
Division"  were  leap-frogged  by  the  42nd  (Rainbow)  Division,  which 
had  been  following  in  support.  The  Rainbows  continued  the  pur- 
suit,   accompanied    by  our  Artillery — the  153rd  Artillery  Brigade. 

Tired  beyond  measure,  ravenously  hungry  and  beastly  dirty 
though  they  were,  all  wanted  to  continue  on  without  pause,  and 
bemoaned  their  lot  in  being  held  out  at  this  stage,  for  they  felt  quite 
convinced  that  this  headlong  "run"  of  the  Germans  signalized  the 
glorious  end  of  the  war.  The  vision  of  complete  victory  impending 
spurred  their  eager  desire  for  continuing  to  the  end. 

It  was  about  dusk  of  November  5th  that  the  valiant  sur- 
vivors were  assembled  and  after  a  substantial  hot  meal — the  first 
they  had  enjoyed  for  weeks — the  columns  headed  southward  on 
November  6th  for  "rest  and  refitting"  according  to  Corps  orders. 
Passing  through  Briquenay,  the  inspiring  sight  of  more  than  a 
hundred  Allied  bombing  planes  greeted  the  eye,  majestically  flying 
through  the  high  gray  clouds  back  to  their  base  after  a  hurried  visit 
northward,  far  behind  the  retreating  German  lines.  Upon  returning 
to  the  battered  town  of  Grandpre,  which  was  at  this  time  crowded 
with  transport  and  troops  of  the  American  Sixth  Division,  hastening 
to  keep  up  with  the  pursuing  forces,  it  was  learned  that  a  few  German 
bombers  had  in  the  early  gray  hours  of  dawn  that  morning,  visited 
the  old  town  and  dropped  there  a  few  tons  of  their  vaunted 
"hate,"  killing  several  Americans  and  wounding  a  score  more.  Not 
yet,  was  the  war  ended. 

Crossing  back  over  the  River  Aire,  on  into  the  wrecked  vil- 
lages of  Marcq  and  Chevieres,  the  78th  spent  the  night  of  Novem- 
ber 6th.  On  the  7th,  many  had  the  opportunity  of  closely  inspect- 
ing the  recently  deserted,  elaborate  and  skillful  system  of  defense 
the  Germans  had  constructed  in  the  Bois  des  Loges  and  around 
Grandpre.  The  following  day  the  Division  marched  into  the  heart 
of  the  battle-torn  Argonne  Forest,  and  occupied  the  luxurious  and 
substantially  constructed  German  huts  and  concrete  villas  of  Champ 


PEOPLE    AND    PLACES    WE    SAW    AFTER    THE    ARMISTICE 


Typical  Frenrh  Pea-^ants.    Victory   of   tlie         Little  Madeleine  and  her  brother 
Allies  cheer  them  on  despite   old   age  and         Andre  help  with  the  days'  work, 
bitter  memories  of  war. 


""^ 


View  of  historic  ALISE  Ste  REINE  where  Caesar  and  his  Ronans 
vanquished  the  Gauls,  52  B.C. 


170  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

Mahaut,  just  west  of  the  ancient  City  of  Varennes.  It  was  here  on 
the  night  of  the  8th  that  rumor  reached  the  tired  troops  that  an 
armistice  had  been  signed;  these  tidings  were  taken  up  by  eager, 
overstrung  men  and  rapidly  spread  to  all  quarters.  It  was  not 
possible  the  following  day  to  verify  the  truth  of  this  report  and  it 
was  on  November  11th,  when  certain  elements  of  the  Division 
passing  through  Ste.  Menehould,  were  greeted  with  the  joyous 
shouts  of  the  French  populace,  "Fini  le  Guerre,"  "Vive  I'Ameri- 
caine,"  expressed  with  such  earnestness  that  the  troops  were  finally 
convinced  the  armistice  had  been  signed  and  hostilities  suspended. 

On  November  11-12-13,  the  division  was  billeted  in  several 
small  villages  radiating  from  Ste.  Menehould.  Here  they  were 
given  bathing  facilities  and  new  underclothing  was  issued.  All 
attention  was  centered  on  cleaning  up  during  these  three  days. 
Refreshing  baths,  clean  clothes  and  these  few  nights  peaceful  sleep 
put  all  hands  in  high  spirits  again.  Quartered  in  this  quiet  farming 
district,  no  more  annoyed  with  the  sing-song  whirr  of  hostile  air- 
planes, the  thunderous  crash  of  shells  or  the  whistling  noise  of 
German  bullets,  all  thoughts  centered  on  what  was  going  to  be  the 
next  move.  Indeed  a  pleasant  relief  were  these  few  quiet  restful 
days  amid  peaceful  surroundings.  Could  it  be  possible  that  the 
war  was  really  ended  .^^  Visions  of  an  early  voyage  home  loomed 
clear  in  the  minds  of  many.  Then  reports  of  an  American  Army  of 
Occupation  to  go  into  Germany  gained  circulation,  followed  by  an 
order  calling  on  the  78th  to  furnish  officers  as  replacements  for 
certain  divisions  assigned  to  the  Army  of  Occupation.  Other  orders 
followed  immediately  directing  the  78th  to  send  advance  billeting 
parties  to  the  21st  Training  Area  located  in  the  Department  of 
Cote  d'Or. 

On  November  14th,  the  Division,  with  the  exception  of  the 
artillery,  which  remained  in  Verdun,  was  entraining  and  headed 
further  south.  After  noon  of  November  16th,  the  first  arriving 
elements  detrained  at  Les  Laumes;  on  the  17th  and  18th,  the 
remainder  of  the  Division  had  arrived  in  the  new  area,  and  were 
assigned  to  surrounding  villages  for  billeting.  A  most  picturesque 
region  of  France  this  proved  to  be.  The  beautiful  rolling  country 
situated  about  thirty  kilometers  west  of  the  City  of  Dijon,  abounded 
with  quaint  places  of  ancient,  historic  interest.  The  most  note- 
worthy of  these  was  the  village  of  Alise  St.  Reine,  built  on  the 
summit  of  a  rugged  hill  which  was  one  of  the  strongholds  of  the 
ancient  Gauls.  It  was  here  in  the  year  52  B.  C.  that  Vercingetorix 
surrendered  with  his  army  after  a  long  seige  by  Caesar,  and  the 
Gauls  were  conquered  finally  and  forever  by  the  Romans.  Excava- 
tions in  the  vicinity  disclosed  the  ruins  of  an  early  Phoenician  city 
of   most   substantial    masonry    construction.      Moutiers    St.    Jean, 


on 


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172  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

with   its   famous  old  abbey,  and  many  other  points  of  exceptional 
interest  were  to  be  found  throughout  the  entire  area. 

Promptly  upon  arrival,  the  troops  were  assigned  to  a  score  of 
villages  radiating  from  the  town  of  Semur-en-Auxois,  an  extremely 
picturesque  old  settlement  which  had  been  a  fortified  stronghold  of 
ancient  Burgundy.  The  assignment  of  various  Headquarters  was 
as  follows: 

Division  Headquarters  -  -  Semur-en-Auxois 

155th  Infantry  Brigade  Hdqrs.  -  Epoisses 

309th       "  Regiment      -  -  Epoisses 

310th       **  "  -  -  Vic  de  Chassenay 

156th  Infantry  Brigade  Hdqrs.  -  Flavigny 

311th       *'  Regiment      -  -  Flavigny 

312th       "  "  -  -  Bussy-le-Grand 

153rd  F.  A.  Brigade  Hdqrs.  -  Montbard 

307th     "      Regiment  -         -  -  St.  Remy 

308th     "  "         -         -  .  Senailly 

309th     *'  "...  Fresnes 

303rd  Engineers  _         .  _  Venarey 

307th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  -  Marigny 

308th 

309th 

303rd  Field  Signal  Battalion  -  Semur 

303rd  Supply  Train      -         -  - 

303rd  Ammunition  Train      -  -  Montbard 

303rd  Sanitary  Train    -         -  -  Semur 

Service  Park  Unit  No.  366   - 

The  several  Brigade,  Regimental  and  Battalion  Headquarters 
were  from  8  to  15  kilometers  from  Division  Headquarters — ^all 
radiating  as  spokes  of  a  gigantic  wheel  from  the  hub — at  Semur. 
With  but  few  exceptions,  these  outlying  villages  could  accommo- 
date only  one  company  and  in  several  instances,  companies  had 
some  platoons  billeted  in  separate  villages.  All  hands  made  the 
most  of  their  surroundings,  and  in  a  short  time  were  very  comfort- 
ably quartered.  Over  two  thousand  replacements  were  received 
by  the  Division  back  at  Les  Islettes  on  November  9th  and  10th, 
and  these  were  supplemented  by  considerably  more  during  the  latter 
part  of  November,  which  brought  the  Division  to  nearly  its  author- 
ized war  strength,  thereby  necessitating  the  hasty  expansion  of 
battalion  and  company  billeting  areas  to  avoid  uncomfortable 
crowding. 

With  the  approach  of  November's  closing  week,  came  to  the 
minds  of  many,  our  time-honored  American  custom  of  celebrating 
Thanksgiving  Day,  and  a  full  realization  of  its  true  significance. 
Enterprising  mess  sergeants  promptly  cornered  the  market  of  all 


VIEWS   OF   OLD    SEMUR 


'^'-^>., 


174  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

available  turkeys  and  other  poultry,  with  the  result  that  Thanks- 
giving Dinner  in  France  was  indeed  a  real  feast  and  carried  with  it 
pleasant  remembrances  and  thoughts  of  home  and  loved  ones. 

The  last  week  of  November  marked  the  beginning  of  an 
intensive  training  schedule  for  all  arms,  special  attention  being 
first  given  to  close  order  drill,  later  followed  by  extended  order  and 
terrain  exercises  for  companies,  battalions,  regiments  and  brigades, 
concluding  with  terrain  exercises  for  the  Division  conducted  by  1st 
Corps  Headquarters.  During  December,  the  training  schedule  for 
all  units  prescribed  eight  hours  solid  drill  and  instruction,  which  was 
religiously  followed,  with  the  result  that  the  month's  close  witnessed 
the  remnants  of  the  Old  78th  and  its  new  accretion  of  replacements 
— ^which  had  been  absorbed  since  the  Division  left  the  front  lines — 
closely  knit  together,  presenting  a  wonderfully  fine  appearance- 
splendid  morale,  and  excellent  discipline,  with  a  smart,  snappy 
execution  of  drill. 

The  spirit  of  the  Christmas  season  soon  pervaded  the  entire 
Division  and  every  small  village  holding  our  troops  had  a  genuine 
old-time  American  Christmas  party  on  the  eve  of  December  25th, 
with  the  amazed  French  children  and  their  parents  as  special  guests. 
Unaccustomed  to  such  extravagance,  they  viewed  with  wonder 
the  heavily  laden,  gayly  decorated  Christmas  tree  presided  over  by 
"good  old  St.  Nick,"  impersonated  by  an  American  soldier  dis- 
guised in  proverbial  white  flowing  beard  and  the  other  trimmings. 
Substantial  gifts  of  toys,  candy  and  nick-nacks  were  made  to  every 
child.  All  this  was  provided  from  funds  created  by  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  several  organizations  for  the  occasion.  These  Christ- 
mas celebrations  were  indeed  the  source  of  much  enjoyment  to  the 
hapless  French  youngsters,  and  did  much  to  brighten  their  hereto- 
fore dull  existence  of  the  previous  four  years  of  grim  war. 

January  and  the  New  Year  signalized  the  organization  of 
Divisional  Schools,  covering  varied  subjects — English  for  the 
foreign  born,  all  grammar  school  branches,  agriculture,  blacksmith- 
ing,  motor  repair,  wireless  telegraphy,  electrical  wiring,  and  other 
trades.  All  were  well  attended  and  helped  many  men  prepare  for 
future  vocations;  incidentally,  these  schools  contributed  in  no  small 
measure  to  making  for  contentment  during  these  long  winter 
months.  Now  that  the  war  was  over,  many  were  of  the  opinion  that 
all  American  troops  not  in  the  Army  of  Occupation  should  promtly 
be  returned  to  America,  little  realizing  the  vast  preparation  needed 
to  arrange  shipping  for  the  return  movement  of  nearly  two  million 
men  and  the  time  required  for  perfecting  necessary  plans. 

During  the  months  of  waiting  in  the  Cote  d'Or  Area,  fantastic 
rumors  flew  thick  and  fast — some  had  it  that  the  Division  was  to 
be  sent  to  Turkey  to  enforce  the  mandate  of  the  Peace  Conference, 
then  sitting  in  Paris — others  reported  orders  issuing  for  the  Division 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d'Or  and  Home  175 

to  move  to  Siberia,  as  much-needed  re-enforcements  against  the 
Bolsheviki.  Some  of  the  gulHble  took  these  reports  rather  seriously 
and  in  their  letters  home  to  relatives  and  friends,  dilated  on  these 
contemplated  travels  and  the  vague  possibilities  of  getting  back  to 
the  U.  S.  A.  for  many,  many  months  to  come.  This  frame  of  mind 
was  somewhat  changed  in  February,  when  General  Order  No.  35 
from  G.  H.  Q.  was  published,  which  set  forth  a  tentative  sailing 
schedule  for  the  American  Divisions,  with  the  78th  listed  as  the 
fifteenth  division  in  order  of  departure  and  the  time  announced  as 
latter  part  of  May.  This  news  started  speculation  and  instead  of 
stilling  the  tongues  of  rumor,  "straight  tips"  of  all  sorts  were  carried 
from  Division  Headquarters  in  Semur  by  the  daily  couriers  who 
were  always  anxiously  awaited  at  the  several  Regimental  P.  C.'s 
by  the  runners  from  outlying  battalions,  who  in  turn  eagerly  passed 
the  word  on  in  their  quiet,  confidential  way  as  being  truly  authori- 
tative, vouched  for  by  no  less  a  personage  than  the  "striker"  of 
Lieutenant  "X"  of  "G-5"  Office.  One  thing,  however,  was  certain 
in  the  minds  of  nearly  all,  after  the  receipt  of  this  memorable  order, 
and  it  was — that  the  next  move  of  the  Division  would  be  in  the 
direction  of  an  embarkation  port  of  France  and  then  home.  Speed 
that  day  was  the  dominant  thought  and  hope  of  every  man. 

The  splendid  system  of  schools  established  throughout  the 
Division  Area  did  much  to  satisfy,  broaden  and  develop  the  studious 
and  ambitious  during  the  dreary  months  of  winter.  Many  other 
activities  of  a  recreational  character  were  provided — athletics, 
vaudeville,  motion  pictures,  dances,  horse-shows.  These  all  did 
much  to  maintain  high  morale  and  contentment  during  the  long, 
trying  wait.  Notwithstanding  the  numerous  "estaminets"  through- 
out the  area  and  the  ease  with  which  liquors  and  wine  could  be  had 
without  restriction,  there  was  little  or  no  abuse  of  the  privilege. 
Letters  and  newspapers  from  home  told  of  the  "Eighteenth  Amend- 
ment," and  the  action  taken  by  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
This  news  caused  loud  mutterings  here  and  there,  but  at  no  time 
did  the  "bone  dry"  opponents  have  a  chance  when  so  many  reports 
of  "sailing  schedules"  and  related  rumors  filled  the  air. 

Much  attention  was  given  to  the  encouragement  of  athletic 
sports;  the  Division  Commander  appointed  the  then  Captain 
Devereux  Milburn  as  Athletic  Officer,  and  he  planned  a  very  ambi- 
tious schedule  of  boxing,  football,  basketball,  and  track  athletics. 
Representatives  of  the  78th  Division  in  boxing  and  basketball  made 
remarkably  fine  showings  under  the  management  of  Capt.  Gerald 
M.  Morgan,  who  succeeded  Major  Milburn  as  Division  Athletic 
Officer.  The  boxers  of  the  Division  won  championship  honors  in 
all  classes,  and  were  chosen  to  represent  the  First  Army  Corps.  The 
basketball  team  developed  into  one  of  the  speediest  fives  of  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  winning  the  championship  of  the 


•P.  n  AM*  rn 


H 


SEVENTY     EIGHTH     DIVISION. 


•imwuTWd  I  tiMt 


•nu.  «klM«  CTMIM 


FRAKC 


6  MARCH  1913 


PRICE :  IB  CENTIMES 


THE  FLASH  OFFERS  CASH  PRIZES 

FOR  DIVISIONS  BEST  STORIES 


.  PriMi  Mfrccalla*  Si^  Itute*  arc 
mmt*  by  lEe  yLA«>I  lor  tbt  in  b-t 
■krttii  fooDded  ca  !*a.  v.litM  tr  H^ 
•  BM  «l-tlM  L^tAl^  DivUioo.  tbcM 
■inaHm^at  to  b«  appurtiwwJ  m  (tUvwi  : 

;'  rm  PrtM,  900  Irwcft. 
SwMi  friM,.MO  (reaeiL 
nM  prtM,  Xfnum 
aitmm*  UMk  pclsM,  b  Inaca  mA. 

M  Mi  ■iiiwMT.lfcr  KA&H  mcg>L» 
«>t  fccl  IhJlhtf  to  »  gtMt  MUMMor 


.jk: 


wyrit  JMCM  ol  Um  nifft  o( 
Ikt.  hdvtaerr  t«llar  ud  OupUlo 


ftMtt  ■■•  tipwliiirn.  Tb*i«  la  BO  VuH- 
UUm  ti  ««>»rt  ■*!(«.  oltaar  iban  tkc 

■wft  h  la  ^iMiliiiii  UkBt  al|  Mgftta 


lajaaacBUiw  lUa  eoatcat  to  lu  ittOti*, 

fcafci!!^  totdlnSritaat  (bt  Uaa  wiD 
»•  mtlmalaaftejUir  nertrad  br  t*^,"^ 
■Mva  haaM  a»  afcJBMtly  and  ao  tfuslvcly 
asMiribMlag  to  Ha  eoMBoa,  bIk*  iba 
ar^al  apfaaraTi  of  Um  QwaUea 
Mwk.  nia  to  tbt  eMortuBHy  to  Ml  In 
^Britty  Iba  tWi^p  as  ^fyatoSblT 

SM^STta^^falbaifc  ar^!^-. 
iE«^kM*^atoMa  arJSTra*  k£^ 

Si?intoySm  ■»**•  Jw«ia* -*<«r 

2Sil*SK'#srfc  XiC?to*£i 

teMja  aaaodaMarilb  Ito  bMofy  of 
iiaiiljlind  aa  a  waO  wiHIa*  ilarr  vklch 


tATULATU  dMtn  MCN 


;^,"jeTS! 


ton  raparta  iknogk  tba  pnaa,  Inw  Ito 
to  uma,  of  vhal  ow  boya  ha«a  daw.  b 


C?°Hm>d*^Ua 


THE.  FLASH  preacnu  in  Ibto  toaoe  Ibc 
aiDM.M  tba  oOeen  In  ibc  divLaiao  who 
■n  r«c«l«ad  BMBotiMi  alBca  tba  slsninc 
F  tbc  BmUOn.  Tba  ■«■»  and  arada* 
re  aa  Mlawa^  Jad^  AdvoeaU  Gocrara 

DiBiffto  I  I  Caona    G.   .Boccn    Iras 

MaJortoLL  OOtut 


a  CapL  :  Ahrta  B.  V 


.  Bra4r  "■.  Goofff  M.  Cawpbtll.  IUt' 
■^  L  CoaA^  EaioU  T.  Edww*. 
anart  A.^nu.  Vaa  RaoMMJaar 
aBcy^khD  j;   HarttRan.  CUfcnca  a 

hooiu,  Gabise  G.  WcbaUr. 

Field  ArUllery  :  From  Captain  to  Ma- 


James  P.  O'Conaor,  Gaocgc  A.  O  DonncU  ; 

hold  Jr.,  niebivaaS  ll  ^Brewn,  WlUtom 
F.  FDwIac.  Fiibar  CoodbM,  Uilton  Hao- 

Iran  Znd  iX  to  lat  LL  :  Ma«n  B.  Bniot», 
Mannr  Bert  Jr.,  Kcnactb  W.  Cnflc.  Uau- 
rlaa  F.  Devlne,  Samoc)  H.  Roorer,  Waldo 

CapL  to  Ualor  :  Edward  O.  Lymaii.  Pr«ni 
IM  LL  to  Capt.  :  Pool  a  KowatokL  Fraa 

Dwigbt  Salmon,  trom  Xod^tolM  LI. 
Midtoal  Corpa  :  Pn»  Major  to  U. 
CaJanaf.  :  Erto-A.  AbarwuWw,  -WlWia  -itr 
lahlra.  Itab  Bl  'Barctoy.  rran  CapL  to 
Valor  :  MargMLC  Bmvt.  Mcrtwcibcr  I. 
A^daneai.  Add  U.  rtardaD.  WIIUmd 
tmmnm  Lwk,  Eartc  K.  McRar.  Jolm  A. 
RolUiWi,  Jaceb  F.  U  Snyder,  Rmari  G- 
VnOMiL  Praaa  Ut  LL  to  Capl.  :  Deliaar 
H.  Btokky,  E«wa«4  A  Plym.  Dcnuia  B: 
lamO.  J«u  F.  LribcnwB,  Jay  D.  Lin- 
ton, WmiMa  J.  1^  UiBtrie,  Frank  W 
Barn  loaai*  sT  Shd^M.  Hrnry  P 
-  laMTA.    Sad'      '■■    -     " 

VtotorlLAlto*. 


_  _  .  __  __  f'Woodbwy.  JobB  L 
WyckoB- 

VrlMrlnary  Corpa  :  Frooi  tad  Ll  ^  lal 
Li.  :  Daniel  L.  Haley.  Bynia  R.  Harrlnf . 
WiltotfC-  Krca»er.labaA.WbHing.Roy 
L,  WoUa. 

OrAaanea  ttofMrtest :  Fran  Ca^  to 
Ualov  :  Umrtca  M.  MlldMa 

All  Ibcto  ptcmattooa  were  racHvad  Uat 
wmk.  baiit  baaa   bold   m  by   a   war 


tba  larnM  compaUtlre  iBorto  for  &rat 
bonon  ainea  iha  A.E.F.  laitdcd  In  France 
Maitod  February  23rd  artwn  aacb  bot 
Uljoa  In  tba  Firat  Army  atartad  prca- 

prava  ibat  Oufra  waa  tba  bai(  bUtalhn. 
Tn^nlBa  llcawfwdvB  Vo.  -O,  Haa«. 
ooartm  Fim  Atsy  glrca  Iba  foUowbif 


by  arbattolloM  of  raBlwwto.  tocMkag 
J»fja<mr*teart^  w^jtoUd  W  rag 

o(  MarA  X  to  Marcb  !B.^«ualntf  bal> 
Martta  t»  to  a  by  winalaf 


ET^bt 


tt%M  iralmii*  pr«erlb« 
»  provida  for  lwftttKlk»  ia 


BO  VOO  BtUBVI  1*4 

d't^arta  wte^  In  a  tarribto 
hnrry  (o  acquire  *.■    witt.    and 

taairalft  to  Iba  gltlfiMk  tioBM 
by  aoa  TbU    to    nM    by    any 

laeann  on  olOdat  boilclln.  bnt  is 


„      -   W'»    Axm-can 

aeved  up  iy  a  >Var  Drparlnxnt 
rvUncwMdi  aaakoa  saelt  a  omi^ 
raisa  poaatbk.  tta  <mi^  Bailti^ 


pMtafo,     natiimony 


DIVISION  BOXERS  WIN  VICTORY 

J)EFORE  GREAT  CROWD  IN  PARIS 


MARGAREt  WILSON 
SINGS  FOR  78TH 

■  The  moft'cBlbmt^  raccpUoB  «1klcb. 
O.  D-  playcowa  bava  aw  acan  waa  ae- 
aordad  IAm  IUi«ar*l  VUaoB  'trnd  bcr 
MQvaay  e»tbaMca2aaf  tbair  Utial 
HPP^anrarc  bafora .  Ibt  sen  ol^^JBOi 

in  apevitl'tJaia  on  the  ff. 

FlaMr  Mtoa  WUaen^o^^aialBclbat 
Iba  Jaracy  boya  dlba IWb  bad  aa  aneb. 
uaatagapiyttoia  wtjto»atoatott« 

UoM  MM  *a  Utorally  eantod  away  tba 
bona  Mtov  Wlto^  drtead  to  a  ebai^ 
mlnff  blaacraaaia.  driMd  iittb  crea*. 
laee,  waa  ddtgMad-  wllb  bar  racapHaii 

Rar  two  fTona  tt  aoua  taOaOat':  >  My 
Laddie  >,  -  Tte  LHIIa.  Irtata'  CM  E, 
When  tba  Doya  Cooa  Rome  ■,  m  Dlzie  », 
kawnbere  a  Vole*  to  Qalllng  •.  *  Tberaa 
Loog  Loos  Trait  -,  -  Deep  Rivar  ■, 
LowBaefc  Car  .a,  -  Lead  ms  Unda^'  i. 
Lea  Amonn  dc  Jean  >,  f  Danny  Boy  "i' 
rtM  Atocrlcaas  Coie«  ■,  ■  Opea  Sacral'* 
id  B  Beep  Iba  Rococ  Flrae  Bnntlnc  ■.* 


a  Lonly  Gardoa  -,  -  Pktva  Ha  Only  >. 

a(x>v  ^lUo.-.  ■  Dtar  ali  Pal  af  MtM  >, 
.  AMBriaad  >,  «  Wbas  Vttmafm  Urn 
go  Mawbliat  toio  PtoMdy  ^^fiager^ 

waa  cloaad  «ltli  a  doet,  -  Tbc  Kera  ad 
Tba  Prcaidisit'a  AogMcr  arrli 


gM  «l  Wr^CjTpa  Baadftaiton   wd 

wXoB's  aldaiw  Tbay  ware  tatrodaead  at 
(ba  ptrtoiMaaca  by  Gaaand  HcBia  aad 
tba  aadtoaea  a(.  LMBbIbc  «■  Marty 
wcM  wild  wtib  aoi&aatoai  wbaa^tbA* 


LtioL  VIrtor  Voaltr,  ^Mb  Ufantry 
d  Lt    Raymond   Bateiont,   Head^tur- 

Bdal  doty  la  (ba  animal    aebool    M 
m  Army,  took,  a  provBinea)  pail  In  tbc 

7VTM  FCBMIMIMUnBCa  Wt)( 
K  baseball  teuR  cMopoM  o(  lite  TUfa 

'-  **^'"     -  -■         '     .  irtaslMa,  OB  'tba  1 


?„^r„ 


.    Tbe    LMt^toa,    I 


t   Sercnty^I^Ub 
ob^  IB 


>.aoo  tubabitania.  Tbe  ualvaratty 
irm  A  clly  llafBPr  tha^  iu  post  ai! 
[  Dtaaof:  Wbea  1h  lull  operattoa 
cramodue  iBOn  m«a.  honad  to 
0  boildiafK.  U  opened  IU^oom 

.. — ^  . —  1^  SAB.  aninv. 

Clamj  >rrft*  to- 


ion  (Joushboya  wer 


nlni  Dl*ii 
nlej^  by  ■ 


iiurday  to  maka  i 
rata.  Tbay  bad  & 
a  L.  RccvEl,  Iba    unm 
Id  artatMcd  Ibc  deialto 


pltal.  are  about  ■  uJle  K'«^-  i 

BcouW   tUlor  'iudd^  nn  ire 
lably  biUatad'ln  ecml  penuapcn 


toiii-nallHa.«dMatton.  b 


inie,  ntteiubip 


nMrtna.  wfefcb  ladmlaa  depaftoMata 
_  cIcctrtoaL'  eML_to«*M"fe^ -dad 
■laiiMt  intlnMriat  YbBatobWaealHii 

nrf  miTtli        raajlitalir    toe   Iba  UhUad 


Bhy,  piycbology,  aakamaaebip.  advet^ 
Ualnir,  econornkv.  «oc:o!acy,  poMie 
bcaltb,  byglnie,  blsiory,  mBthcn^tira. 
boofci.   SnRlisb,  Preach,   cbemiitqy,  (eo- 

Oaa  tf  ttH  largaM  baJdlnct  baa  been 
Atoodatlaa.    MBprlatnc 


!  Kil<My,  Itsib'  latoatrr,  motb- 
, „  .*^y-  A.  M.  LowcU/  MOb  1ft. 

Ito^L  labj  jS^Kary 

3a 


SJ?^aS 

SlOtb  Infaniry,  pi  sua 


to  tnnMiiato  Iba  grto- 
9  «(alM  lb*  YM.CA^ 

Serretafy    ot    War*.  AeUrttlca    o 
Koi^to  of  CBlaiabaa.    Salvatton  Aruy, 

a'Y.to  be  -probed.  TM  order  Haln  tbat 
itiiKv  IhulntcatlffUton  4*  Dot  lo  U  .tI- 

nuik  ba  of  ci|icricoc«  aad  ff*^  Jwhpa- 


■Mwad,  lor    Ibe    IJ^toJaBi  >•  <**^ 
witb  ten  BtrikaaaUTnia,  7Kb,  Man  li 

•  '  lSp"   8   a  /CardaBC 
s  I  Hai^  P  :'Mam«  L.  I 

•MLaMUrtN> 


ALMM  ZBTB  NBTm 

1  Ibclrnwie  a>^ad^c«  toV.  ; 


Tba  7^  DMAai  pucUlats  looxbl 
tbctr  way  to  vtctory.at  Noraau-de  Circle 
Part%  Jaat  Friday  algbl.  Feb.  ISth. 
'"' " ■  apcctatora.  Tba 


°  Friday* 


Tbc  NovMu  arda  De  FarU  bohto  ta^m 
three  to  tona  thooaand    people,'  to    aa 


saol  baaatM  buttdlAM  al  Itt  Uad  to 
tba  toorU.  Tla  E.  a*  t  to  to  fca  staS 
mdB Maararinc  tbto  pUca.    far   Ibr 


-Carey,  bead  «l  ■. 


witb  you  fkflitinf  Amcrtcaaa  k 


t.  wtMpnlM 


oedingty^di 


to  to  &ct  aH  Bl 


eon.-it,  put  »e\-ei3l-  to  tbo  la ee,  bead  aaA 
(toihacb.  Vockkcr  (rlfd  bard  U  (at  bto 
In,  aad  taeeaaded  Is  landti^  a  led  lo  tba 
toot  aod  ooa  to  tbc  bead.  Wacaaa  «ia 
too  teat  tor  him.  ^^       , 

IWrd  njfbd.  Vorlckca  aiepasd  tn  faal, 
and  «oatluufd  tlila  way  all  Ibrou^ 
dcUvorlait  tbrca  h-.rd  letu  lo  XVagnM^ 
»oaa.  Fo;io\Ted  by  body  poncbM^  Bal 
tber  dttln't  leuc  Wasncr  a  bit,  (or  ba 

tbty  bit  the  icart  VocWter  toMlwaaa 
lo  took  very  mucb  worried  and  Ure<^  bai 
atq^d  bto  (round.  ' 

'Foartb  roaad.  Wagaar  iBawad  »mm 
ef  bto  T«ar  flsbUnc.  patttor  •  .Ml  art 
Iben  rl^  to  IMekar-alSea  art  Ma- 
madL  Bolb  Man  foa«tt  bard  la  Ma 
raand.  aHboaCb  It  waa  very  cvMntJbal 
Wagaarwaa  aearU«  tbe  awal  palDid  Tba 


Tbc  naet  boot  waa  bdwMn  ParCf 
HoM,  TStb  Dlv.,  and  Blasebard  ot  tba 
tbiC  Pii^  Peatber  wdgbla.  ^^ 

Pint  TounX  HoUr  ttarted  oB  alow. 
ll«a(  making  the  llrM  rap  to. tba  aoaCk 
and    aevcraT  to   UM-  toca.    PloMbara 


bosalUe,  Hoaa  ht 
the  rtng^ 


Roac  leading  oil  tbe 


)  keep  ■ 


I  all  I 


be  way  tbiougta.  laadai 
and  tbta  doM  Bla» 
ga  from  riband  Mi 


Mood  art  pat  la  a  rM  iB»w«m.tt»a 
a  TicM  to  tba  toea  TTbcaa  wm«  aaaa 
ntaiacd  by  Moaa  wba  woitad  Jaat 
aidUMC  hta^Mal.  Tbcy  .balb -cUhKil 
atocral  URwa.  aad  did  anaM.g*4  ctaaa 
nilillaii.  Tbcy  wrre  Rotai;  m,  UA  Ibak 
MTwMbaid  to>]MKa  whkb  wb»  mmBw 
tba  Bwrt  poteU^gicr  tl.ey  broke,  Itoag 

and  forTmiBateVlo^  a*  tboagh  hi 


(CMkUaoadaa  Mfsoad  aagt) 


Front  Page  of  the  78th  Division  Newspaper  in  France 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d^Or  and  Home  177^ 

First  Corps  and  First  Army.  In  the  A.  E.  F.  Championships  at 
Paris,  they  won  against  all  contenders  from  the  combat  divisions, 
losing  only  the  final  game  to  the  Tours  S.  O.  S.  aggregation  by  the 
close  score  of  21-20,  in  a  game  which  was  declared  to  be  the  closest 
and  most  exciting  of  the  series. 

A  journalistic  venture  fostered  by  the  Division  which  proved 
highly  successful  was  inaugurated  in  February  with  the  appearance 
of  the  78th's  own  newspaper — "The  Flash."  An  enthusiastic  wel- 
come greeted  the  publication,  the  first  issue  of  which  appeared  on 
February  6th,  1919.  Several  officers  and  men  who  had  previous 
newspaper  experience  comprised  the  editorial  staff — Corporal  Wal- 
lace A.  Brennan,  309th  F.  A.,  Managing  Editor;  Private  Frank 
Shay,  312th  Infantry,  News  Editor;  Private  Earl  C.  Blass,  311th 
Ambulance  Co.,  Sports  Editor;  Corporal  Floyd  A.  Van  Dusen, 
Hdqrs.  Troop,  Business  Manager;  Private  Maurice  J.  Cronin, 
G-2  Office,  Circulation  Manager,  with  Major  Phillip  D.  Hoyt, 
Ass't.  G-2,  as  Advisory  Editor.  Published  weekly,  brimful  of 
newsy  items  of  general  and  local  interest,  serious  and  otherwise, 
with  full  accounts  of  various  activities  throughout  the  division,  it 
had  its  sporting  page,  serious  editorials,  and  theatrical  news  relating 
to  shows  on  the  Cote  d'Or  circuit,  and  an  abundance  of  keen  humor. 
The  popularity  of  "The  Flash''  was  widespread,  its  originality  and 
general  excellence  merited  favorable  comment  from  Corps,  Army 
and  General  Headquarters,  as  well  as  from  other  divisions.  The  paper 
in  every  issue  spread  cheer  and  good  humor,  doing  much  to  keep 
the  men  contented  until  the  long-looked  for  sailing  orders  arrived. 
The  final  edition  in  France  was  published  May  10th,  1919,  and  was 
issued  just  prior  to  sailing  from  Bordeaux. 

Excellent  material  for  the  "rumor  experts"  was  furnished 
when  orders  were  received  directing  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  B.  Roote, 
309th  Infantry,  Major  James  J.  Fitzgerald,  former  Division  Inspec- 
tor; First  Lieutenant  Naughton  Crocker,  303rd  Ammunition  Train, 
and  Second  Lieutenant  Walter  Lewy,  Q.  M.  C,  with  22  N.  C.  O'.s, 
and  45  privates  from  various  units  of  the  division,  to  proceed  into 
Germany  to  report  for  duty  in  administering  Russian  Prisoner  of 
War  Camps  beyond  the  Rhine.  This  party  left  Semur  on  February 
10th.  Much  speculation  ensued  following  their  departure.  At  this 
period,  however,  all  hands  were  so  busily  occupied  with  drill  and 
road  repair  work  that  only  passing  attention  was  given  the  episode 
generally. 

Under  the  tutelage  of  the  303rd  Engineers,  all  infantry, 
artillery  and  machine  gun  units  were  trained  in  rebuilding  and 
repairing  roads.  All  roads  in  the  division  area  were  suddenly  closed 
to  heavy  traffic  on  February  6th  and  7th.  There  was  much  con- 
jecture as  to  the  reason,  rumor  promply  connected  the  embargo 
with  the  expected  move  of  the  division  for  embarkation  ports,  but 


178  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

it  developed  that  nothing  more  exciting  than  a  sudden  thaw  was 
responsible.  The  French  civil  authorities  promptly  called  attention 
of  the  division  to  the  old  French  law — "Loi  sur  la  police  de  la  cir- 
culation et  al  conservation  des  routes,"  a  decree  enacted  August 
23,  1863,  covering  the  subject  of  caring  for  roads  following  heavy 
frosts.  Our  own  General  Headquarters  specifically  covered  the 
situation  in  Par.  3,  Bulletin  101,  December  11,  1918,  which  pro- 
vided— "When  a  thaw  follows  a  hard  frost,  roads  will  suffer  damage 
which  is  often  irreparable  if  heavy  traffic  is  permitted  to  circulate 
before  they  have  had  time  to  settle.  To  meet  this  situation,  the 
French  road  service  has  authority  to  restrict  or,  if  necessary,  sus- 
pend traffic  over  roads  which  have  been  affected  by  the  frost." 
With  the  arrival  of  the  American  forces  and  consequent  heavy 
traflSc  of  ponderous  motor  trucks,  the  usually  well-kept  roads  did 
suffer  as  a  result  of  wear  and  tear  prior  to  the  thaw.  So  following 
the  embargo,  details  from  every  company  and  battery  were  set  to 
work  under  Engineer  guidance,  patching  and  in  many  instances, 
rebuilding  entire  sections  of  road.  For  several  weeks  the  work 
continued  with  the  result  that  all  roads  in  the  Cote  d'Or  Area  were 
in  excellent  condition  when  the  division  departed.  A  number  of 
the  78th  men  became  authorities  on  the  subject  of  road  building 
and  the  thought  is  ventured  that  many  American  communities 
have,  following  their  home  coming,  witnessed  energetic  local  boom- 
ing of  the  "good  roads"  movement. 

Throughout  the  entire  sojourn  in  the  Cote  d'Or,  a  very  busy 
activity  was  the  Division  Amusement  Bureau,  organized  by  Cap- 
tain Wallace  Cox,  310th  Infantry,  and  later  Assistant  G-2.  Several 
company,  battery,  battalion  and  regimental  show  troupes  were 
organized,  all  of  which  contained  very  good  talent,  some  of  the  men 
having  been  in  the  theatrical  profession  before  entering  U.  S.  ser- 
vice. Nightly  shows  were  presented  in  the  quaint  old  theatre  in 
Semur  and  the  numerous  "Y"  huts  throughout  the  area.  These 
show  troupes,  together  with  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  entertainers  and 
motion  picture  equipment  travelled  from  village  to  village  under 
schedules  arranged  by  the  Amusement  Bureau.  Practically  every 
night  eight  or  ten  shows  were  furnished  the  troops  in  as  many  differ- 
ent sections  throughout  the  division. 

Miss  Margaret  Wilson,  daughter  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  visited  the  division  with  her  party  of  entertainers 
on  Tuesday,  March  1st,  and  gave  two  unusually  attractive  vocal 
recitals,  the  first  at  the  theatre  in  Semur  and  the  second  at  Alise 
St.  Reine.  Most  enthusiastic  receptions  were  accorded  Miss  Wilson 
and  her  company. 

The  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  Red  Cross,  all  of 
which  had  very  capable  and  energetic  representatives  with  the 
division  ever  since  its  arrival  in  France,  including   the   periods   of 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d^Or  and  Home  179 

strenuous  combat  in  the  St.  Mihiel,  Limey,  and  the  Argonne.  All 
continued  with  increased  activity  to  provide  special  features  for 
the  comfort  and  welfare  of  the  troops.  These  organizations  co-oper- 
ated with  each  other  constantly,  with  a  keen  desire  to  render  worth- 
while service  to  the  men  at  all  times.  Every  village  boasted  of  its 
"Y"  or  "K.  C."  hut,  the  "Y'.s"  each  presided  over  by  a  charming, 
active,  bright-eyed  American  girl  in  the  familiar  light  blue  costume. 
Frequent  enjoyable  dances  and  entertainments  were  arranged  by 
them.  The  K.  of  C.  clubs,  with  their  sturdy  male  secretaries,  most 
of  whom  were  former  athletes  past  middle  age,  fathers  of  families, 
who  knew  human  nature  well,  strongly  encouraged  the  athletic 
instinct  of  the  men  by  arranging  numerous  contests  and  games  in 
addition  to  distributing  liberal  quantities  of  sweets  and  smokes. 
The  large  measure  of  good  work  done  by  these  welfare  organiza- 
tions is  indeed  hard  to  overestimate. 

Of  the  welfare  workers  with  the  78th  Division,  none  were 
more  untiring  in  their  efforts  than  the  Misses  Leslie  Colby,  Martha 
Lindsay  and  Eleanor  Doty  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  who  joined  the 
Division  while  in  the  Limey  Sector  (St.  Mihiel),  and  stayed  with 
us  up  to  the  time  of  our  sailing  for  home.  These  young  ladies  at  all 
times,  disregarding  personal  comfort  and  safety,  advanced  with 
our  troops  and  at  every  stop  prepared  huge  pots  of  hot  cocoa,  which 
they  served  to  all  comers.  At  our  "triage"  stations,  they  also  cared 
for  the  wounded,  and  the  comforting  words  and  sunny  smiles  did 
much  to  brighten  and  cheer  the  sick  and  wounded. 

During  the  stay  of  the  78th  Division  in  the  Cote  d'Or  Area, 
practically  every  man  had  the  opportunity  of  visiting  one  of  the 
delightful  "Leave  Areas"  along  the  Riviera — Nice,  Cannes,  Monaco 
(Monte  Carlo),  and  Men  ton.  Other  Leave  Areas  were  Val  les 
Bains,  Aix  le  Bains,  La  Bourboul,  and  special  leaves  were  granted 
to  men  to  visit  England,  Belgium,  Switzerland,  and  other  European 
countries  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  relatives.  Every  ten  days  or 
two  weeks,  several  hundred  men  would  board  a  "leave  train"  for  a 
ten-day  period  at  one  of  the  designated  leave  areas,  all  transporta- 
tion, hotel  and  living  expenses  paid  by  the  Government.  These 
"leaves"  were  undoubtedly  the  most  longed-for  event  in  the  soldier's 
life  in  France,  always  excepting,  of  course,  the  "orders  for  home." 

Platoon,  Company  and  Battalion  competitions  of  varied  char- 
acter were  held  from  time  to  time  throughout  the  Division  while 
in  the  Cote  d'Or  Area.  One  to  determine  the  platoon  with  best 
discipline,  best  general  appearance  and  best  all-round  demonstra- 
tion of  drill,  was  won  by  First  Platoon,  Company  "M,"  310th 
Infantry,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Edwin  F.  Korkus,  and  they 
later  went  to  Tonnere,  1st  Army  Corps  Headquarters,  to  represent 
the  78th  Division  in  the  Corps  Tournament  on  March  15,  1919. 


180 


History  of  the^Seventy-eighth  Division 


HEADQUARTERS  78th  DIVISION 


April  16,  1910. 


GENERAL  ORDERS 

No.e 


The  Commanding  General  desires  to  record  in  the  General  Orders  of  the  Division  the  following 
communication  from  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

"American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

OflBce  of  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
France,  April  13,  1918. 

"Major  General  James  H.  McRae, 
Commanding  78th  Division, 
American  E.  F. 

"My  dear  General  McRae: 

"It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  extend  to  you,  the  officers  and  men  of  the  78th  Division,  my  sincere 
compliments  upon^their  splendid  appearance'at  the  inspection  and  review  on  the  26th  of  March.  I^wish 
also  to  take  this  opportunity  of  expressing  my  appreciation  of  the  high  morale  existing  throughout  all 
ranks,  and  my  satisfaction  at  the  condition  of  the  horse  transport  and  artillery.  All  ranks  should 
take  just  price  in  such  a  commendable  showing  as  well  as  in  the  record  of  service  in  France  which  standi 
to  their  credit. 

"Arriving  on  June  8th,  the  Division  trained  with  the  British  Expeditionary  Forces  for  two  months, 
and  in  August  was  moved  into  the  American  sector,  acting  as  the  reserve  for  the  1st  Corps  in  the  St. 
Mihiel  offensive  from  the  12th  to  the  16th  of  September.  It  was  then  placed  in  the  front  line,  relieving 
the  2nd  and  5th  Divisions,  and  remained  in  the  Limey  sector  with  the  4th  Corps  of  the  1st  United 
States  Army  until  October  4th.  During  this  time  the  division  kept  up  continuous  aggressive  patrolling 
until  its  relief  from  the  line.  On  the  night  of  October  15th-16th,  it  relieved  the  77th  Division  and  there- 
after remained  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive  until  November  5th.  The  names  of  Grand  Pre  and  the 
strong  position  of  Bois  des  Loges,  whose  final  reduction  came  only  after  a  succession  of  desperate  assaults 
and  counter-assaults,  will  always  be  remembered  in  the  history  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
On  November  2nd,  the  Division  occupied  the  Bois  des  Loges  and  thereafter  made  a  rapid  advance  of 
over  21  kilometers,  during  the  course  of  which  the  towns  of  Beffet  le  Mort  Homme,  Briquenay,  Boult- 
aux-Bois,  Belleville-sur-Bar,  Germont,  Authe,  BrieuUes-sur-Bar  and  Verrieres  were  occupied.  In 
view  of  this  record,  I  want  every  man  in  the  Division  to  know  of  my  appreciation  of  his  work. 
Ifc.  pb- "Please  therefore  extend  my  congratulations  to  the  members  of  your  Division,  who  may  proudly 
carryj^home  with  them  the  gratitude  of  the  Allies  with  whom  they  fought  and  the  pride  of  their  fellows 
throughout  the  Forces. 

"Sincerely  yours, 

"John  J.  PERSHrNo." 
By  Command  of  Major  General  McRae. 

H.   N.    COOTES, 

Chief  of  Staff. 
OFFICIAL: 

A.  L.  L'Heurexjx, 
Adjutant. 


Vanguard  of  78th  Division  marching  into  SEMUR-en-AUXOIS  November  17   1918 


Part  of  the  Infantry  and  Artillery  passing  in  review  before  General  Pershing  on  the  plains 

of  Les  LAUMES 


MUSKETRY  CHAMPIONS  of  the  American  E.  F.— Second  Platoon,  "L"  Co..  310th 

Infantry 


182  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

The  Third  BattaHon,  309th  Infantry,  commanded  by  Major 
Rafael  Segarra,  won  the  honors  in  competition  to  determine  the  best 
combat  battahon. 

Probably  the  most  noteworthy  competitive  victory  was  that 
won  in  the  Musketry  Competition  at  Le  Mans,  where  the  best 
platoon  from  each  Combat  Division  assembled  for  the  A.  E.  F. 
Championships.  Lieutenant  W.  A.  Hitchcock  led  the  2nd  platoon 
of  Company  "L,"  310th  Infantry,  to  a  brilliant  victory  in  the  Battle 
Efficiency  Competition  at  the  D'Avours  Range,  winning  the  A.  E. 
F.  platoon  musketry  trophy,  over  all  the  combat  divisions  in  France. 
In  a  combat  problem  that  thrilled  spectators,  this  platoon  put  up 
a  show  that  was  said  to  be  the  nearest  approach  to  real  warfare 
that  had  been  witnessed  in  France  since  the  signing  of  the  Armistice. 

A  Kitchen  Competition  covering  a  period  of  several  weeks, 
during  which  time  a  special  board  of  judges  passed  upon  the  clean- 
liness and  sanitation  of  kitchens,  equipment,  management  and 
personnel,  and  the  variety  and  sufficiency  of  the  menu,  aroused 
keen  interest.  Company  "L,"  311th  Infantry  won  1st  prize,  with  a 
general  average  of  95.9  as  its  rating;  Company  "M,"  309th  Infantry 
was  a  close  second,  with  92.9;  303rd  Train  Headquarters  was  third 
with  82.5,  and  Battery  "B,"  307th  F.  A.  fourth  with  73.8. 

Great,  stirring  activity  such  as  the  staid  natives  of  the  Cote 
d'Or  region  had  never  before  witnessed,  was  the  order  of  the  day  on 
Wednesday,  March  26th,  1919,  with  every  unit  of  the  division  up 
before  daybreak  and  on  the  move  to  LesLaumes  for  Inspection  and 
Review  by  General  John  J.  Pershing.  It  was  here  on  the  historic 
plains  of  Les  Laumes — where  2,000  years  before,  the  legion  of  Caesar 
embattled  the  Gauls — that  the  78th  Division  massed  for  its  final 
inspection  and  review  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces.  In  battle  array,  every  officer  and  man 
wearing  trench  helmets,  the  division  made  a  splendid  appearance. 
General  Pershing  made  a  minute  inspection  of  every  platoon,  passing 
through  the  columns,  asking  questions  of  men  here  and  there,  and 
complimenting  many.  Following  the  inspection,  the  colors  of  all 
units  were  massed  in  "front  and  center"  of  the  division,  and  the 
Commander-in-Chief  here  presented  the  Distinguished  Service 
Crosses  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the  78th  who  had  earned  them 
for  heroic  service  in  action  "above  and  beyond  the  call  of  duty". 
Battle  streamers  were  then  attached  to  regimental  and  battalion 
colors  by  General  Pershing,  and  following  this  the  entire  Division 
passed  in  review.  The  torrential  downpour  of  rain  that  afternoon 
only  added  zest  to  the  ceremony,  the  infantry  brigades,  the  engi- 
neer regiment  and  auxiliary  troops  marched  by  in  perfect  alignment, 
followed  by  the  light  artillery  regiments  and  the  regiments  of  motor- 
ized "heavies."  The  splendid  carriage  and  appearance  of  the  troops 
earned  the  highest  commendation  of  the  Commander-in-Chief. 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d'Or  and  Home  183 

Word  was  received  on  April  2nd  that  the  Division  was  to  be 
prepared  to  move  direct  to  Bordeaux  Embarkation  iVrea,  thereby 
avoiding  the  "staging"  period  at  Le  Mans.  The  tentative  instruc- 
tions were  that  Division  Headquarters  was  to  be  estabhshed  in 
Castres,  about  20  kilometers  from  Bordeaux,  the  Artillery  Brigade 
to  be  in  area  around  Gradignon,  one  Infantry  Brigade  in  area  around 
Cerons,  the  other  in  area  around  St.  Selve,  with  the  Engineers  around 
Barsac,  the  Trains  around  Portets,  and  the  Machine  Gun  Battalions 
in  Langoiran  and  Letourne.  Much  had  already  been  done  by  way 
of  preparation  for  the  division's  departure  from  the  Cote  d'Or 
region.  Considerable  property  had  been  turned  in,  baggage  was 
being  prepared,  claims  settled  and  everything  arranged  for  having 
the  area  thoroughly  policed  and  left  in  tip-top  shape  by  middle  of 
April. 

General  McRae,  having  in  mind  the  future  welfare  of  the  men 
of  his  Division,  directed  that  a  conference  of  representatives  of  the 
several  regiments  and  separate  organizations  be  quickly  arranged 
to  consider  the  advisability  of  organizing  a  permanent  association, 
whose  object  and  purpose  would  be  to  aid  the  78th  Division  men  in 
readjusting  themselves  upon  their  return  to  civilian  life.  This 
conference  was  held  on  April  12th,  and  it  was  unanimously  agreed 
to  take  immediate  action  toward  forming  such  an  association  before 
leaving  the  Cote  d'Or  Area.  Accordingly,  a  call  was  issued  for  each 
battalion  or  similar  unit  to  send  delegates  to  a  representative 
assembly  on  Tuesday,  April  15th.  This  assembly  turned  out  to  be 
in  enthusiastic  accord  with  the  idea  and  the  several  necessary  com- 
mittees were  then  and  there  appointed,  with  instructions  to  report 
back  on  Monday,  April  21st.  On  this  date,  constitution  and  by- 
laws were  adopted  and  the  following  officers  and  standing  com- 
mittees elected: 

HONORARY  PRESIDENT 
Major    General   James   H.    McRae,    Division    Commander. 

PRESIDENT 

Lieut.  Colonel  Marshal  Stearns,  311th  Infantry. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS 

Lieut.  Colonel  Charles  M.  Butler,  312th  Infantry. 
Master  Engineer  Harold  C.  Backus,  303rd  Engineers. 

SECRETARY-TREASURER 
Lieut.  Colonel  Thomas  F.  Meehan,  G-3,  A.  C.  of  S. 

ASSISTANT  SECRETARY-TREASURER 

Regimental  Sergeant  Major  Clifford  A.  Alliston,  G-3,  Division 
Headquarters. 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d'Or  and  Home  185 

FOUR  MEMBERS  AT  LARGE 

Regimental  Supply  Sergeant  John  Nagel,  312th  Infantry. 
Corporal  Louis  S.  Turner,  307th  Field  Artillery. 
Sergeant  Joseph  Gibson,  Jr.,  309th  Infantry. 
Sergeant  1st  Class  J.  W.  Swannie,  303rd  Engineers. 

CHAIRMAN  OF  EMPLOYMENT  COMMITTEE 
Lieut.  Colonel  Thomas  F.  Meehan,  G-3  A.  C.  of  S. 

CHAIRMAN  OF  PUBLICITY  COMMITTEE 
First  Sergeant  Raymond  A.  Schroth,  311th  Infantry. 

A  supply  of  "Application  for  Civil  Employment"  blanks  were 
furnished  to  every  company  commander  in  the  division,  with  request 
that  any  man  not  sure  of  his  old  job  or  suitable  employment  upon 
his  discharge,  be  given  the  opportunity  to  fill  out  one  of  these  blanks 
and  send  it  to  Chairman  of  the  Employment  Committee.  Nearly 
3,000  of  these  applications  were  received  and  steps  immediately 
taken  to  aid  these  men  find  congenial  jobs  at  home. 

Late  Monday  afternoon,  April  21st,  1919,  the  following  tele- 
gram was  received  at  Division  Headquarters,  and  caused  a  great 
flurry  throughout  the  entire  Area: — 

"Tours,  April  21. 
Commanding  General,  78th  Division. 

The  following  wire  sent  C.  G.,  Neuf chateau,  this  date  quoted  for 
your  information:  'Due  to  unexpected  arrival  of  Italian  shipping  at 
Marseilles  it  will  be  necessary  to  send  six  trains  of  the  78th  Division  to 
that  port.  Equipment  will  be  assembled  as  rapidly  as  possible  and  it  is 
hoped  to  be  able  to  move  one  train  tomorrow,  April  22.  Remainder  of 
movement  will  follow  at  density  of  three  trains  every  24  hours.  Remain- 
der of  Division  will  proceed  to  Bordeaux,  movement  to  commence  April 
30th,  density  2  trains  every  24  hours.  Telegraph  C.  G.  Bordeaux  con- 
cerning that  part  of  78th  Division  which  has  been  directed  to  Marseilles." 

To  fill  the  Italian  ships  that  came  so  unexpectedly  to  Port  of 
Marseilles,  the  following  units  were  selected  and  promptly  moved  off 
by  scheduled  trains :  The  entire  153rdField  Artillery  Brigade,  consisting 
of  307th,  308th,  309th  Field  Artillery,  together  with  the  307th,  308th 
and  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalions,  the  Mobile  Ordnance  Repair 
Shop,  one-half  of  the  303rd  Sanitary  Train,  and  a  large  part  of  the 
303rd  Field  Signal  Battalion  and  the  303rd  Ammunition  Train. 
Three  trains  left  the  entraining  stations,  Les  Laumes,  Montbard 
and  Semur  on  Wednesday,  April  23rd,  carrying  3,600  happy  Seventy- 
eighters,  bound  for  home  at  last.  The  following  day  witnessed 
the  departure  of  3  more  trains,  earring  the  remainder  of  these  7,200 
"first  chosen"  speeding  southward  to  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  The 
happy  party  was  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  the  78th  Division 
Employment  Detachment  and  the  78th  Division  Show  Troupe,  the 


•5" 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d'Or  and  Home  187 


G-3,   Office 
HEADQUARTERS  78TH  DIVISION 

15  April,  1919. 
TRAINING  MEMORANDUM  NO.  139. 

The  Division  Commander  desires  that  the  men  who  have  with  such  splendid  patriotism,  courage 
and  self-sacrifice,  contributed  to  the  glorious  achievements  and  honorable  record  of  this  Division,  be 
fully  prepared  to  take  their  proper  place  in  civil  life  upon  their  return  home.  Every  man  who  has 
served  in  the  American  E.  F.  will  find  much  expected  of  him  by  the  civil  community  from  which  he 
hails.  He  will  be  expected  to  become  a  leader  in  the  life  of  the  nation,  whose  honor  he  so  nobly  defended. 
Quite  rightly  does  America  hope  for  big  things  from  her  stalwart  sons  who  have  learned  big  lessons  from 
the  war  thru  their  discipline,  self-sacrifice,  teamwork,  initiative  and  resourcefulness. 

Summarized  briefly,  some  of  the  important  things  learned  in  this  war  service  that  apply  with 
equal  force,  if  success  is  to  be  hoped  for  in  civil  life,  are: 

Cleanliness  of  body  and  mind, — care  of  health. 

Personal  appearance: — neatness  in  dress  and  soldierly  carriage. 

Courtesy  in  manner  and  speech. 

Respect  for  authority, — spirit  of  subordination. 

Discipline  of  mind  and  body. 

Team  work,  co-operation  and  loyalty. 

Individual  initiative  and  resourcefulness. 

Leadership  and  self-confidence. 
The  great  benefits  acquired  during  the  period  of  military  training  and  active  service  should  be 
carried  back  to  civil  life  to  be  of  lasting  value,  both  to  the  individual  soldier  and  the  nation.  We  should 
all  of  us  be  bigger,  broader  and  better  men  than  ever  before,  both  physically  and  mentally.  In  the 
days  and  years  to  come,  we  will  more  fully  realize  the  priceless  value  of  the  training  and  experience 
acquired  by  our  participation  in  the  great  war.  It  is  highly  important,  however,  that  no  effort  be 
spared  in  continuing  to  develop  the  manly,  soldierly  qualities  in  our  every  activity  and  encourage  them 
in  others  by  example  and  advice. 

Upon  return  to  the  United  States,  we  are  quite  likely  to  find  that  the  process  of  economic  readjust- 
ment brought  about  by  the  cessation  of  war  has  greatly  unsettled  industrial  and  commercial  activities, 
with  consequent  effect  on  other  normal  conditions  as  we  knew  them  prior  to  our  departure  for  overseas 
service.  Plans  are  being  devised  to  assist  members  of  this  Division  in  every  possible  manner  that  will 
ensure  their  fitting  into  the  changed  conditions  at  home  in  the  most  advantageous  way.  It  must  be 
borne  in  mind  however,  that  success  in  civil  life,  now  as  always,  depends  primarily  upon  the  character 
and  energy  of  the  individual,  and  that  any  assistance  rendered  him  is  merely  of  a  preliminary  nature, 
which  must  be  supplemented  by  proof  of  character,  ability  and  worth  shown  by  the  man  himself. 

Every  member  of  this  command  should  realize  fully  the  high  hopes  and  great  expectations  placed 
in  him  by  the  nation  at  home,  and  the  obligation  he  is  under  to  be  prepared  in  every  way  to  justify 
them.  Commanding  officers  are  directed  to  utilize  every  opportunity  for.  the  instruction  of  their  men 
in  the  principles  outlined  herein.  Series  of  short  talks  by  selected  speakers  should  be  arranged  by 
Regimental  and  Separate  Unit  Commanders,  these  to  be  given  to  companies  and  batteries  in  their  mess 
halls  or  other  convenient  places  at  suitable  times. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McRae: 

H.   N.   COOTES, 

Chief  of  Staff. 
Official: 

Thomas  F.  Meehan, 

Lieut.  Col.  Inf. 

Acting  A.  C.  of  S.,  G-3. 

Distribution : 

Down  to  and  including  Co.  and  Bty.  Comdrs. 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  (TOr  and  Home  189 

former  to  arrange  important  employment  matters  in  the  United 
States  in  advance  of  the  troops'  arrival,  and  the  latter  to  arrange 
for  the  production  of  Division  Show  for  the  edification  of  the  "home 
folks."  Ships  were  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  troops  in  Marseilles, 
so  immediately  upon  detraining  they  were  met  by  embarkation 
officers,  and  with  feverish  haste  all  formalities  were  complied  with 
and  thirty-six  hours  after  reaching  Marseilles  some  units  were 
aboard  ship  heading  homeward  on  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  as  was 
the  case  with  Col.  Bunker's  308th  Field  Artillery  Regiment  arid 
Major  Lowry's  308th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.  By  April  30th,  all 
78th  troops  sent  to  Marseilles  had  boarded  ships.  Among  the  last 
to  leave  were  the  307th  Field  Artillery  and  Division  Show  Troupe 
aboard  the  good  ship  "Guiseppi  Verdi,"  which  already  had  among 
its  civilian  passengers  from  Genoa,  Italy,  Mrs.  Theodore  Roosevelt, 
widow  of  the  late-lamented  President  of  the  United  States,  with  a 
notable  party  from  the  American  Embassy  at  Rome. 

The  leisurely  trip  through  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  with  the 
one  day  stop  at  Gibraltar  for  coal,  passing  along  the  southern  coast 
of  Spain  and  touching  the  Azore  Islands,  was  a  decided  novelty  to 
these  men,  who  had,  in  "going  over"  just  one  year  previously,  made 
a  hasty  run  directly  across  the  Atlantic  to  English  Channel  ports. 

Just  prior  to  the  hurried  departure  of  the  Artillery  and 
Machine  Gun  units  from  the  Cote  d'Or  Area,  orders  were  received 
from  G.  H.  Q.  directing  the  Commanding  General  78th  Division  to 
detail  seven  officers  with  special  qualifications,  to  accompany 
General  Haller's  Polish  Legion  troops  from  Paris,  through  Germany 
into  troubled  Poland,  to  combat  the  Bolsheviki  menace.  These 
Polish  troops  who  had  been  serving  in  France  numbering  about 
50,000,  were  placed  under  command  of  General  Haller  for  the 
mission  and  scheduled  to  leave  Paris  by  rail  at  the  rate  of  two  trains 
per  day  beginning  on  April  18th.  The  78th  officers  detailed  for  this 
mission  were:  Majors  Thomas  H.  Remington,  309th  Infantry,  and 
David  Warshaw,  311th  Infantry;  Captains  George  H.  McCaffrey, 
Ass't.  G-3,  John  K.  Dunn  and  Edward  Vail,  153rd  Artillery 
Brigade,  WiUiam  C.  Warren,  Jr.,  307th  F.  A.,  and  First  Lieutenant 
Charles  Pfeiffer,  312th  Infantry.  Instructions  were  given  that 
these  officers  were  not  to  be  dropped  from  their  organization  rolls, 
as  upon  completion  of  movement  of  troops  to  Poland,  they  were  to 
return  to  the  78th  Division,  and  in  event  the  Division  had  sailed 
for  home  they  were  to  return  to  the  United  States.  After  many 
interesting  and  exciting  experiences  in  Germany  and  Poland,  these 
officers  returned  to  the  U.  S.,  weeks  after  the  Division  had  been 
demobilized. 

The  Infantry  Regiments,  the  Engineers  and  the  few  remaining 
auxiliary  units  left  in  the  Cote  d'Or,  on  April  25th  sent  an  advance 
party  of  15  officers  and  200  men  to  Bordeaux  Area  to  make  all 


190  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


HEADQUARTERS  78TH  DIVISION. 

May  30,  1919. 
GENERAL  ORDERS. 

No.  14. 
To  THE  Officers  and  Men  of  78th  Division: 

Instructions  having  issued  from  the  War  Department  directing  the  demobilization  of  the  78tb 
Division,  the  time  has  come  for  me  to  say  farewell  to  the  members  of  this  command. 

In  addressing  you  at  this  time  of  parting,  I  recall  to  mind  the  incidents  of  the  past  eighteen  months 
during  which  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  command  you. 

Your  willing  response  and  application  under  the  trying  demands  made  on  you  during  the  period 
of  organization  and  training,  revealed  even  then  that  spirit,  which  with  your  advent  into  conflict  in  the 
LIMEY  SECTOR  and  the  ST.  MIHIEL  OPERATIONS,  manifested  a  courage  and  an  indomitable 
will  to  win  and  later,  during  the  gruelling  MEUSE-ARGONNE  OFFENSIVE,  an  endurance  which 
was  inexhaustible, — a  spirit  which  impelled  you  to  write  in  deeds  your  patriotism  and  devotion  to  duty, 
and  your  loyalty  to  your  comrades  and  to  the  Division. 

Later,  during  the  five  months  of  irksome  inactivity,  from  the  cessation  of  hostilities  to  your  embark- 
ing for  home,  the  patience  and  self  control  which  characterized  your  conduct  were  a  test  of  the  courage 
of  your  manhood,  second  in  importance  only  to  the  test  of  conflict  from  which  you  had  so  recently, 
successfully  emerged. 

It  is  with  pride  that  I  can  refer  to  the  tribute  contained  in  the  farewell  orders  received  from  our 
Commander-in-Chief,  General  John  J.  Pershing,  and  from  Lieutenant  General  Hunter  Ligget,  Com- 
manding the  First  Army  and  First  Corps,  under  whom  we  served  in  the  above  mentioned  operations. 
It  is  believed  that  this  praise  was  well  merited  by  this  Division  and  I  wish  to  thank  each  and  every 
officer  and  soldier  for  the  part  which  he  so  gallantly  played. 

It  is  recognized  that  your  noble  response  to  the  Service  of  your  Country  made  necessary  by  the 
crisis  through  which  we  have  just  passed,  has  of  necessity  seriously  interrupted  your  former  civil  pur- 
suits, but  it  is  hoped  that  the  experience  gained  by  you  while  serving  this  great  cause  has  not  been  a 
permanent  loss  to  you  but  that  it  has  resulted  in  better  fitting  you  to  cope  with  the  new  problems  of 
life  which  will  confront  you. 

I  wish  you  a  hearty  God  speed  with  the  sincere  hope  that  the  best  of  success  may  crown  your  future 
efforts. 

J.  H.  McRae, 
Major  General,  Commanding. 


General  McRae  chatting  with  Colonel  W.  C.  Babcock,  commander  310th  Infantry  at  the  docks  in  Bordeaux. 


Brig.  General  Jas.  T.  Dean,  Commanding  Brig. 

156th  Inf.  Brigade. 


General  Otho  B.  Rosenbaum,  Command- 
ing 155th  Inf.  Brigade. 


T-W'^~-»?»!-c^i5''rTrs'5»-^aBBR*iS^Hsai^»Kr^'n<^^ 


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O 


After  the  Armistice,  Cote  d'Or  and  Home  193 

necessary  arrangements  for  the  reception  of  the  78th  troops  which 
were  scheduled  to  move  by  rail  from  Semur,  Epoisses  and  Les 
Laumes  beginning  April  30th.  All  hands  were  satisfied  that  there 
were  to  be  no  more  delays  and  that  the  month  of  May  would  see  all 
of  the  78th  on  their  way  back  across  the  Atlantic  to  the  good,  old 
U.  S.  A. 

Commencing  the  second  week  in  May,  various  units  of  the 
Division  boarded  ships  in  the  Port  of  Bordeaux  and  started  home- 
ward. On  May  24th,  the  S.  S.  Santa  Anna  sailed  with  Major  Gen- 
eral McRae,  Division  Headquarters,  and  the  303rd  Engineer  Regi- 
ment— the  last  of  the  78th  had  left  France.  On  June  6th,  the  Santa 
Anna  docked  at  Bush  Terminal,  Brooklyn,  and  General  James  H. 
McRae,  who  more  than  one  year  previously  directed  the  embarka- 
tion of  his  ''Lightning"  Division  on  the  first  leg  of  the  ** Great 
Adventure,"  continuously  directed  their  activities  throughout  their 
service  in  France,  had  the  keen  pleasure  of  personally  seeing  his 
division  safely  returned  home  amid  triumphant  greetings  for  the 
splendid  part  they  so  heroically  played  in  downing  the  Prussian 
attempt  to  dominate  the  world. 

Upon  arrival  in  the  U.  S.,  the  various  units  of  the  Division 
were  sent  to  "their  own"  Camp  Dix,  Wrightstown,  N.  J.,  well  remem- 
bered as  the  birthplace  of  the  "Lightning"  78th.  Several  companies 
of  the  310th  and  all  the  311th  Infantry  were,  however,  sent  to  Camp 
Merritt,  N.  J.,  owing  to  a  large  number  of  troops  from  other  divi- 
sions previously  arrived,  being  still  quartered  in  Camp  Dix,  await- 
ing discharge. 

By  June  15th,  1919,  the  complete  personnel,  property  and 
other  records  of  the  78th  had  been  satisfactorily  checked  by  the 
demobilization  oflficers  of  Camp  Dix,  clearance  was  given  to  the 
responsible  oflScers,  all  emergency  personnel  had  been  discharged, 
and  the  "Lightning"  78th  Division  was  actually  and  completely 
demobilized. 

Another  one  of  that  stalwart  group  of  combat  divisions 
which  had  written  world  history  in  large  undying  letters  of 
blood  with  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  was  from  this  day 
to  be  only  a  memory — a  sweet,  fragrant  memory  of  patriotic  service, 
heroic  sacrifice,  and  duty  well  done. 

As  such  it  will  live  through  the  ages. 


SEVENTY-EIGHTH  DIVISION 

OFFICERS  AND  ENLISTED  MEN  AWARDED 

DECORATIONS 


SAWELSON,  WILLIAM,  Sergeant,  Co.  M,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  Medal  oj  Honor.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  16,  1919. 
William  Sawelson,  sergeant.  Company  M,  312th  Infantry.  For  conspicuous  gallantry  and 
intrepidity  above  and  beyond  the  call  of  duty  in  action  with  the  enemy  at  Grandpre,  France, 
October  26,  1918.  Hearing  a  wounded  man  in  a  shell  hole  some  distance  away  calling  for  water. 
Sergeant  Sawelson,  upon  his  own  initiative,  left  shelter  and  crawled  through  heavy  machine-gun 
fire  to  where  the  man  lay,  giving  him  what  water  he  had  in  his  canteen.  He  then  went  back  to 
his  own  shell  hole,  obtained  more  water,  and  was  returning  to  the  wounded  man  when  he  was 
killed  by  a  machine-gun  bullet. 

ADAMS,  JAMES  S.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  M,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  127,  1918. 
James  S.  Adam^,  private.  Company  M,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
at^Mon  Plaisir  Farm,  north  of  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  22,  1918.  Disregarding  his  own 
personal  safety,  he  went  to  an  open  field,  swept  by  heavy  machine-gun  fire,  to  the  assistance  of  an 
officer  who  had  been  wounded  during  the  withdrawal  of  hjs  company  from  a  raid.  He  bandaged 
the  officer's  wound  and  carried  him  to  shelter,  thereby  saving  the  officer's  life. 

ALDRIDGE,  JOSEPH  S.,  JR.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  B,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  26,  1919. 
Joseph  S.  Aldridge,  Jr.,  private  first  class.  Company  B,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  24-25,  1918.  On  the  night  of  Sep- 
tember 24,  1918,  Private  Aldridge  repeatedly  carried  messages  between  his  company  and  battalion 
headquarters  through  a  heavy  barrage.  He  also  took  the  place  of  a  wounded  litter  bearer  and 
assisted  in  bringing  in  wounded  under  shell  fire. 

BACKMAN,  JOHN  A.,  Second  Lieutenant,  Co.  A,  308th  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
John  A.  Bachman,  second  lieutenant,   308th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.     For  extraordinary  ■ 
heroism  in  action  near  Jaulny,    France,  September  26,  1918.    During  an  early  morning  raid  he 
attempted  to  place  two  guns  in  position,  when  the  enemy  opened  a  terriffic  barrage.    He  was 
ordered  to  shelter  on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  and,  after  his  men  had  taken  refuge  there,  he  went  back 
to  determine  whether  or  not  all  of  his  men  had  found  shelter.    In  passing  through  the  heavy  barrage 
he  was  hit  by  a  shell  and  instantly  killed. 

BAKER,  JESSE,  Private,  Co.  A,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Jesse  Baker,  private.  Company  A,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near 
Grandpre,  France,  October  18,  1918.  He  carried  a  message  from  his  platoon  leader  to  the  leader 
of  an  adjoining  platoon,  crossing  an  area  swept  by  an  intense  machine-gun  fire.  While  waiting 
for  a  reply,  he  was  seriously  wounded,  but  returned  with  an  answer  to  his  platoon  leader,  remaining 
on  duty  until  ordered  evacuated  by  his  commanding  officer. 


Winners  of  Decorations  195 

BALLING,  JOSEPH  P.,  Corporal,  Co.  M,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  64,  1919. 
Joseph  P.  Balling  (Army  serial  No.  1749662),  corporal.  Company  M,  311th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  Assigned  to  the  duty 
of  carrying  rations,  water,  and  ammunition  to  the  front  line.  Corporal  Balling  led  his  details  over 
ground  under  incessant  gas  attacks  and  terrific  shell  fire.  Although  his  force  was  greatly  decreased 
through  casualties,  he  maintained  complete  control  and  succeeded  in  supplying  the  troops  with 
necessities.  After  being  helplessly  wounded  he  directed  the  movements  for  the  safety  of  his  detail 
and  the  care  of  the  wounded.  Home  address,  Mrs.  Caroline  Balling,  mother,  38  Ideal  Street, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

BARRY,  EDWARD  W.,  Private,  Co.  I,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Eldtoard  W.  Barry,  private.  Company  I,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.    Acting  as  stretcher  bearer,  under  heavy  machine-gun 
fire,  he  was  wounded,  but,  disregarding  his  own  injuries,  he  went  to  the  aid  of  another  wounded 
man,  and  while  attending  him  was  killed  by  shrapnel. 

BLOOMBERG,  SAM,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  B,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Sam  Bloomberg,  private  first  class.  Company  B,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  18-23,  1918.  During  the  period  of  five  days  that  his 
company  was  occupying  an  advanced  and  isolated  position  Private  Bloomberg  volunteered  and 
carried  messages  to  his  company  headquarters  after  seeing  two  other  runners  wounded  in  the 
attempt  to  cross  through  the  sweeping  barrage.  He  was  at  all  times  under  constant  fire  and 
observation  of  enemy  machine  gunners,  but  he  succeeded  in  establishing  liaison  during  the  entire 
operations. 

BLUME,  LEO  H.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  C,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  64,  1919. 
Leo  H.  Blume,  private  first  class.  Company  C,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Talma  Farm,  France,  October  18,  1918.  He  vcluneered  to  carry  a  message  from  his 
platoon  across  a  zone  of  200  yards  swept  by  heavy  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire.  He  was  seriously 
wounded  while  making  the  attempt  to  perform  the  mission,  and  remained  under  this  terrific  fire 
for  over  two  hours  before  it  was  possible  to  rescue  him. 

BONAVANTURE,  FERDINANDO,  Private,  Co.  B,  309th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919.  Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
Ferdinando  Bonavantura,  private.  Company  B,  309th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  19,  1918.  Private  Bonavantura,  armed  with  an  automatic 
rifle,  captured  a  machine  gun  single-handed  under  heavy  flanking  fire  from  machine  guns.  The 
gun  was  supported  by  a  squad  of  infantry,  whom  he  forced  to  flee.  Later  he  led  a  detail  far  into 
the  enemy  lines,  encouraging  his  men  by  his  fearless  example. 

BUDD,  ARTHUR  D.,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Arthur  D.  Budd,  lieutenant  colonel,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near 
Grandpre,  Francs  October  28,  1918.  After  our  troops  had  established  a  new  line  and  before  the 
position  had  been  consolidated,  the  enemy  put  down  an  exatrordinary  heavy  barrage  on  the 
position.  Col.  Budd  went  through  this  barorage  from  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other  to  prepare 
for   the  expected  counter  attack  before  returning  to  his  post  of  command. 


196  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

BUONOMO,  ANTHONY,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  F,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Anthony  Buonomo,  private  first  class.  Company  F,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Chevieres,  France,  October  19,  1918.  Private  Buonomo  was  voluntarily  acting  as 
guide  on  a  reconnaissance  with  an  officer,  when  the  latter  was  severely  wounded  by  a  bursting 
shell.  Having  himself  been  struck  by  a  shell  fragment,  he  disregarded  his  own  injuries,  but  imme- 
diately bandaged  the  officer's  wound  and  assisted  him  to  the  dressing  station,  800  meters  away, 
across  an  open  field  swept  by  shell  fire.  He  then  volunteered  to  return  to  division  headquarters 
through  intense  artillery  fire  to  report  that  the  reconnaissance  had  not  yet  been  completed. 

BURKE,  WALTER  F.,  Private  1st  Class,  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  —No.  44,  1919. 
Walter  F.  Burke,  private  first  class.  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Vievi!le-en-Haye,  France,  September  25-26, 1918.  During  an  extreme  shell- 
ing he  cared  for  the  wounded,  although  exposed  at  all  times  to  the  hazard  of  the  rain  of  shells. 
He  was  stunned  by  the  concussion  of  a  high-explosive  shell,  which  killed  men  on  both  sides  of  him, 
but  he  continued  until  ordered  to  the  aid  post.  He  volunteered  and  returned  to  the  lines  to  relieve 
a  comrade  who  had  fallen  from  exhaustion. 

CAMPBELL,  ALEXANDER,  Sergeant,  Co.  1,  309th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  71,  1919.  Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
Alexander  Campbell  (Army  serial  No.  1735613),  sergeant,  Company  I,  309th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  at  Rembercoiui;,  France,  September  23,  1918.  A  shell  landed  in 
an  observation  post  occupied  by  Sergeant  Campbell  and  two  other  soldiers,  seriously  wounding 
all  three.  Though  he  himself  had  been  struck  in  seven  places,  this  soldier  placed  both  his  com- 
panions under  shelter  and  then  walked  through  the  barrage  to  company  headquarters,  where  he 
sent  stretcher  bearers  to  the  assistance  of  his  wounded  comrades,  before  securing  first  aid  for 
himself.    Next  of  kin:  Mrs.  Frank  Campbell,  mother,  R,  F.  D.  No.  9,  Lockport,  N.  Y. 

CAMPBELL,  JAMES  E.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
James  E.  Campbell,  private  first  class.  Company  K,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  After  all  the  regular  company 
runners  had  become  casualties.  Private  Campbell  volunteered  as  a  runner,  carrying  a  call  for  rein- 
forcements through  enemy  barrage  and  guiding  the  reinforcing  troops  back  to  his  company. 
He  then  aided  in  first-aid  work  until  his  company  was  relieved. 

CARROLL,  THOMAS,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Thomas  Carroll,  private  first  class.  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  18,  1918.  Accompanying  a  patrol.  Private  Carroll 
voluntarily  advanced,  in  the  face  of  annihilating  machine-gun  fire,  in  attacking  a  machine-gun 
nest  which  was  halting  the  progress  of  his  platoon.  He  forced  the  enemy  to  retreat  and  then 
captured  the  gun. 

CARTER,  WILLIAM  C,  Private,  Co.  F,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
William  C.  Carter,  private.  Company  F,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  herosim  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  While  the  advance  of  his  company  was  being 
held  up  by  hostile  machine-gun  fire,  he  worked  his  way  around  the  enemy's  flank,  and  although 
exposed  to  sniper  fire  he  charged  the  nest  and  by  the  effective  use  of  his  Chauchat  rifle  captured  that 
nest  and  the  one  on  the  right.  His  action  made  possible  the  further  advance  of  his  company  and 
the  capture  of  47  more  prisoners. 


Winners  of  Decorations  197 

CASTLEMAN,  LAWRENCE  A.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Lavrrence  A.  Castlevian,  private  first  class.  Company  K,  311tli  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.  Despite  the  fact  that  the  remainder 
of  his  company  had  been  forced  to  evacuate  a  height.  Private  Castleman  remained  at  his  post,  and 
by  exceptional  handling  of  his  automatic  rifle  stopped  an  enemy  advance  and  made  it  possible  for 
his  company  to  again  occupy  the  position. 

COLEMAN,  CARROLL,  J.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  H,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  70,  1919. 
Carroll  J.  Coleman  (Army  serial  No.  1764771),  private  first  class.  Company  H,  311th  Infantry. 
For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  17,  1918,  and  November  1, 
1918.  With  another  soldier  Private  Coleman  went  out  25  yards  in  advance  of  the  front  line  under 
severe  shell  and  machine-gun  fire  and  carried  to  shelter  a  wounded  comrade.  After  administering 
first  aid,  they  carried  him  4  kilometers  to  the  dressing  station  across  fields  exposed  to  heavy  hostile 
fire.  On  November  1  he  went  through  heavy  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire  and  assisted  in  carrying 
his  commanding  officer,  who  had  been  wounded,  to  the  aid  station.  Upon  his  return,  though 
nearly  exhausted,  he  volunteered  to  go  back  with  an  ammunition  detail.  Home  address,  Mrs. 
Mary  Coleman  (mother),  postoffice  box  91,  Schodack  Landing,  N.  Y. 

COLLINS,  JAMES  P.,  1st  Sergeant,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
James  P.  Collins,  first  sergeant.  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.    Upon  his  own  initiative  he  crossed  an  open  field 
heavily  swept  by  machine-gun  fire,  and,  assisted  by  two  other  soldiers,  carried  to  shelter  his  com- 
pany commander,  who  had  been  mortally  wounded. 

COLONNA,  THOMAS,  Private,  Co.  F,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Thomas  Colonna,  private.  Company  F,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
at  Grandpre,  France,  October  17,  1918.    Upon  being  wounded  by  a  shell,  he  refused  to  go  to  the 
rear,  but  remained  on  the  firing  line  against  the  advice  of  his  commanding  officer,  dressing  wounds 
of  two  comrades. 

CONKLIN,  MATTHEW  E.,  Second  Lieutenant,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Matthew  E.  Conklin,  second  lieutenant,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  16,  1918.  Lieutenant  Conklin  was  wounded  while  leading  his 
company  in  advance,  but  continued  to  lead  his  men  across  an  open  area  under  a  heavy  machine- 
gun  and  artillery  fire,  wading  the  Agran  River,  and  took  his  position  on  a  hillside,  where  he  directed 
the  digging  in  of  his  company,  before  he  would  be  evacuated. 

CONOVER,  HOWARD  R.,  Private,  Co.  A,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  46,  1919. 
Howard  R.  Conover,  private.  Company  A,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  20,  1918.  Although  painfully  wounded  in  the  hand,  he 
went  to  the  assistance  of  a  wounded  comrade  who  was  lying  helpless  in  an  exposed  position.  He 
carried  him  from  the  front,  a  distance  of  400  yards,  on  his  back,  and  when  forced  to  relinquish 
his  burden  because  of  exhaustion,  he  informed  and  directed  stretcher-bearers,  thus  assuring  the 
safety  of  his  comrade. 


198  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

CONROY,  LAWRENCE.  Mechanic,  Co.  I,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  81,  1919. 
Lavorence  Conroy  (Army  serial  No.  1737034),  mechanic.  Company  I,  312th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  herosim  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.  Seeing  a  comrade  lying 
wounded  in  front  of  our  lines,  Mechanic  Conroy  voluntarily  made  his  way  forward  and  rescued  the 
man  from  direct  machine-gun  fire.  After  all  platoon  leaders  had  become  casualties  he  assumed 
command  and  very  creditably  directed  the  action  throughout  the  entire  attack.  Next  of  kin, 
Andrew  Conroy  (father),  79  Joseph  Street,  Newark,  N.  J. 

COUGHLIN,  WILLIAM  C,  Private,  Co.  L,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
William  C.  Coughlin,  private.  Company  L,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  at  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.    He  volunteered  and  maintained  liaison  with  a 
company  which  had  been  cut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  battalion,  making  several  trips  across  open 
ground  for  150  yards  under  intense  machine-gun  fire. 

CRISTOFARO,  VITTORIA,  Private.  Co.  K,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
VOtorio  Cristofaro,  private.  Company  K,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.  While  his  company  was  forced  to  lie  in  the  open 
for  a  period  of  24  hours,  because  of  the  murderous  machine-gun  and  artillery  .fire  of  the  enemy, 
Private  Cristofaro,  occupying  a  position  in  front  of  the  company,  advanced  and  attacked  the 
enemy  gun  nests,  silencing  no  less  than  three  guns  and  killing  their  crews. 

DELOTO,  PETER,  Sergeant,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O  No.  37,  1919. 
Peter  Deloto,  sergeant.  Company  K,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.  During  the  attack  Sergeant  Deloto  single-handed  cap- 
tured 8  prisoners,  and  later  aided  materially  in  the  capture  of  16  more.  When  his  company  had 
been  held  up  by  the  fire  of  a  machine  gun,  he  set  out,  unassisted,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  it, 
during  which  exploit  he  was  wounded  in  the  leg. 

DE  ROGATIS,  ALBERT,  Private,  Co.  M,  309th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  81,  1919.  Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
Albert  De  Rogatis  (Army  serial  No.  1752789),  private.  Company  M,  309th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  herosim  in  action  near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  16,  1918.  When  his  company 
was  held  up  by  heavy  machine-gun  fire  Private  De  Rogatis  voluntarily  worked  his  way  behind  an 
enemy  machine-gun  position,  killed  a  German  soldier,  and  captured  seven  others,  together  with 
two  machine  guns.    Next  of  kin,  Generso  De  Rogatis  (father).  Province  Avellino,  Teora,  Italy. 

DOLAN,  BERNARD  LEO,  Corporal,  Co.  I,  309th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     Record  from  A.  E.  F. 
"For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  ChampigneuUe,  France,  October  16,  1918.    Although 
he  was  himself  wounded.  Corporal  Dolan  left  the  shelter  of  a  shell  hole  and  went  out  under  terrific 
machine  gun  fire  to  assist  a  wounded  comrade.    In  so  doing  he  received  another  wound,  which 
caused  his  death." 

DONOVAN,  JAMES  J.,  Corporal,  Medical  Detachment,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
James  J.  Donovan,  corporal.  Medical  Detachment,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  16-20,  1918.    In  the  face  of  heavy  shell  and  machine- 


Winners  of  Decorations  19& 

gun  fire  and  continuous  gas  attacks,  he  established  and  maintained  for  four  days  a  dressing  station 
in  a  most  advanced  position.  When  an  enemy  attack  seemed  imminent,  he  refused  to  retire  to 
safety,  but  remained  at  his  post,  being  relieved  after  his  comrades  advanced. 

DUFFY,  FRANCIS  A.,  Private,  Medical  Detachment,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  20,  1919. 
Francis  A.  Duffy,  private.  Medical  Detachment,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Thiaucourt  and  Grandpre,  France,  September  21  and  October  16,  1918.  On  Sep- 
tember 21,  at  Thiaucourt,  France,  he  remained  in  the  front-line  trenches  under  heavy  artillery 
and  machine-gun  fire,  caring  for  the  wounded,  and  displaying  utter  disregard  of  personal  danger 
while  administering  first-aid  treatment  to  40  men.  During  the  advance  of  his  company  from  St. 
Juvin  to  Grandpre  he  followed  immediately  behind  the  first  wave,  under  heavy  machine-gun  and 
shell  fire,  caring  for  the  wounded  as  they  fell. 

DUNN,  PARKER  G.,  Private  1st  Class,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  32,  1919. 
Parker  C.  Dunn,  first-class  private,  1st  Battalion,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Grandpr  ,  France,  October  23,  1918.  When  his  battalion  commander  found  it 
necessary  to  send  a  message  to  a  company  in  the  attacking  line  and  hesitated  to  order  a  runner  to 
make  the  trip  because  of  the  extreme  danger  involved.  Private  Dunn,  a  member  of  the  intelligence 
section,  volunteered  for  the  mission.  After  advancing  but  a  short  distance  across  a  field  swept 
by  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire,  he  was  wounded,  but  continued  on  and  fell  wounded  a  second 
time.  Still  undaunted,  he  persistently  attempted  to  carry  out  his  mission  until  he  was  killed  by  a 
machine-gun  bullet  before  reaching  the  advance  line. 

EMERSON,  WILLARD  I.,  Captain,  Co.  G,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  3,  1919. 
Willard  Ingham  Emerson,  captain,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  Capt.  (then  Lieutenant)  Emerson  displayed  remark- 
able gallantry  and  leadership  diu-ing  the  fighting  north  of  Grandpre  when  the  line  of  his  regiment 
was  the  pivot  for  the  advance  of  the  Army.  He  personally  led  his  company  around  machine-gun 
nests,  frequently  going  out  with  selected  patrols  for  the  purpose  of  bombing  out  enemy  machine 
gunners.  When  the  commanding  officer  of  the  company  on  his  left  was  incapacitated  he  at  once 
took  command  of  the  company  and  maneuvered  it  with  his  own.  By  his  example,  in  undergoing 
hardships  during  the  advance,  he  sustained  the  morale  of  his  men  and  inspired  them  to  valiant 
combat. 

FAHEY,  JOSEPH  H.,  Sergeant,  Co.  B,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  26,  1919. 
Joseph  H.  Fahey,  sergeant.  Company  B,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Viveille-en-Haye,  France,  September  26,  1918.    He  made  three  attempts  to  silence  several 
machine  guns  which  had  held  up  his  platoon.    He  retired  only  after  he  had  been  wounded  and 
his  companions  killed  or  wounded. 

FALKINBERG,  EDWARD  A.,  Private,  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  15,  1919. 
E.  A.  Falkinburg,  private.  Medical  Detachment;  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Chevieres,  France,  October  21,  1918.  He  remained  on  duty  continuously 
for  4  hours,  administering  aid  to  wounded  men  under  heavy  shell  fire.  Finding  that  he  could  not 
properly  work  while  wearing  his  gas  mask,  he  removed  it,  although  many  gas  shells  were  bursting 
in  his  vicinity.  After  being  gassed  he  continued  to  work  for  an  hour  until  all  the  wounded  were 
attended. 


200  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

FAZLER,  ROBERT,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  L,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W,  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Robert  Fader,  private  first  class.  Company  L,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  in  Grandpre  France,  October  22,  1918.  After  delivering  a  message  to  his  battalion  head- 
quarters, and  while  passing  through  the  main  street  of  Grandpre,  which  was  being  enfiladed  by  a 
terrific  enemy  fire.  Private  Fader  went  to  the  rescue  of  a  comrade  who  had  fallen  under  the  direct 
fire  and  observation  of  the  enemy,  notwithstanding  the  warning  that  to  go  to  the  man's  aid  would 
mean  certain  death  to  himself.  He  gave  the  wounded  man  first-aid  treatment  and  successfully 
carried  him  to  a  place  of  safety. 

FIIGEN,  PETER,  Private,  Co.  G,  311th  Infantry. 

AwAHDED  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  26,  1919. 
Peter  Fiigen,  private,  Company  D,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near 
Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  23-24,  1918.  On  the  night  of  September  23-24.  Private 
Fiigen  repeatedly  carried  messages  between  his  company  and  battalion  headquarters  through  a 
heavy  barrage,  until  completely  exhausted.  On  the  morning  of  September  26,  he  volunteered 
and  carried  an  important  message  to  battalion  headquarters  through  a  heavy  machine-gun  fire. 

FOGG,  PRESTON  D.,  First  Lieutenant,  Co.  E,  309th  Infantry. 

W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919.  Awarded  D.  S.  C. 

Preston  Doane  Fogg,  first  lieutenant,  309th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Champignealles,  France,  October  16,  1918.  After  leading  his  company  in  the  attack  on 
Champigneulles  {«nd  thereafter  successfully  withdrawing  the  remnants  of  his  command,  Lieu- 
tenant Fogg,  although  himself  wounded,  carried  to  shelter  another  wounded  officer  who  was  unable 
to  walk. 

GALLAGHER,  CORNELIUS  E.,  Sergeant,  Co.  C.  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O  No.  35,  1919. 

Cornelius  E.  Gallagher,  sergeant.  Company  C,  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.  For  extraor- 
dinary heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  28-29, 1918.  Although  painfully  wounded 
in  the  shoulder,  he  remained  at  his  post  for  six  hours  without  reporting  his  wound.  Even  then  he 
requested  permission  to  remain,  and,  having  obtained  it,  he  encouraged  his  men  to  withstand  a 
threatened  counter  attack.    He  left  the  field  only  when  ordered  to  do  so. 

GEER,  FREDERICK  W.,  Private,  Co.  M,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Frederick  W.  Geer,  private.  Company  M,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  26,  1918,  In  the  face  of  heavy  machine-gun  fire  and  on  his  own 
initiative  Private  Geer  left  a  place  of  safety  and  made  his  way  by  crawling  to  the  side  of  a  wounded 
comrade,  administering  first-aid  treatment. 

GOLDSTEIN,  ISAAC,  Private,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 

Isaac  Goldstein,  private,  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Talma  Farm,  France,  October  19,  1918.  Disregarding  the  warning  that  to  leave  shelter 
meant  almost  certain  death.  Private  Goldstein  went  to  the  aid  of  a  wounded  comrade,  through  an 
open  field,  exposed  to  murderous  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire.  Bringing  his  comrade  back  to 
safety,  he  took  a  message  from  the  wounded  man's  pocket  and  delivered  it  to  its  destination. 
Under  cover  of  darkness  he  carried  his  comrade  to  a  first-aid  station. 


Winners  of  Decorations  201 

GRISWALD,  CHAUNCEY  J.,  Private  1st  Class,  Medical  Detachment.  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35.  1919. 

Chauncey  J.  Griswald,  private  first  class.  Medical  Detachment.  312th  Infantry.  For  extra- 
ordinary heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France.  October  16.  1918.  He  volunteered  to  leave  his 
battalion,  which  was  in  support,  and  went  forward  to  the  front  line,  where  he  established  a  dressing 
station.  He  remained  with  this  advance  station  during  the  entire  time  it  was  in  the  line  and  gave 
first  aid  to  the  wounded  under  constant  shell  fire  and  through  frequent  gas  attacks. 

GUINUP.  EARL  M..  Private,  Co.  K,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Earl  M.  Guinup,  private.  Company  K.  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre.  France.  October  23.  1918.  While  Grandpre  was  being  severely  bombarded  by 
artillery  Private  Guinup  volunteered  to  enter  a  section  of  the  town  to  determine  the  advisability  of 
his  company's  entrance  therein.  He  successfully  accomplished  his  mission  through  the  severest 
barrage  and  returned  with  the  necessary  information  for  the  entrance. 

GUMBS.  ESRIC  C.  Private  1st  Class.  Co.  E,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 

Esric  C.  Gumbs,  private  first  class.  Company  E,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Authe  and  Sy,  France,  November  2-4, 1918.  Private  Gumbs,  while  acting  as  battalion 
runner,  repeatedly  crossed  areas  subjected  to  heavy  shell  and  machine-gun  fire,  carrying  messages 
to  and  from  flank  companies.  His  work,  performed  with  unhesitating  devotion  to  duty,  materially 
contributed  to  the  successful  advance  of  his  battalion. 

HARGRAVE,  THOMAS  J.,  First  Lieutenant,  Co.  C,  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Thomas  J.  Hargrove,  first  lieutenant.  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre.  France,  October  26,  1918.  He  personally  made  a  reconnaissance 
of  the  entire  front  of  the  battalion  to  which  he  was  attached,  under  heavy  machine-gun  and  shell 
fire,  and  returned  with  very  valubale  information  in  the  shortest  time  possible.  He  returned 
through  an  open  field,  subjected  to  an  enemy  fire.  This  oflScer  later  rendered  valuable  assistance 
in  repelling  a  counter-attack  by  his  coolness  and  intelligent  direction  of  the  company. 

HENNESSEY.  JAMES,  Sergeant,  Co.  B,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  64,  1919. 

James  Hennessey  (Army  serial  No.  1750394),  sergeant.  Company  B,  312th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinaiy  heroism  in  action  at  Grandpre,  France,  October  22,  1918.  With  all  disregard  for 
his  own  danger,  he  crawled  about  30  yards  through  a  sweeping  machine-gun  fire  to  the  rescue  of  a 
wounded  comrade.  He  was  killed  by  a  machine-gun  bullet  while  administering  aid  to  the  wounded 
soldier.    Home  address,  Mrs.  Matty  Hennessey,  mother,  327  Lafayette  Street.  Newark,  N.  J. 

HERRMANN,  BERTRAND,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Bertrand  Herrmann,  private  first  class.  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France.  October  23,  1918.  Private  Herrmann,  with  his  twin 
brother.  Private  (first  class)  Victor  Herrmann,  voluntarily  crossed  an  open  field  heavily  swept  by 
machine-gun  fire  and  assisted  First  Sergeant  James  P.  Collins  carry  to  shelter  their  company  com- 
mander, who  had  been  mortally  wounded.  As  they  were  returning  to  our  lines,  this  soldier  was 
slightly  wounded,  and  later  in  the  day  while  being  evacuated  to  the  rear  he  was  killed  by  a  shell. 


202  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

HERRMANN,  VICTOR,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Victor  Herrmann,  private,  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.  Private  Herrmann,  with  his  twin  brother.  Private 
(First  Class)  Bertrand  Herrmann,  voluntarily  crossed  an  open  field  heavily  swept  by  machine-gun 
fire  and  assisted  First  Sergeant  James  P.  Collins  to  carry  to  shelter  their  company  commander, 
who  had  been  mortally  wounded. 

HIGGINS,  WILLIAM  H.,  Sergeant,  Co.  I,  309th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  71,  1919.  Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
William  H.  Higgins  (Army  serial  No.  1735641),  sergeant.  Company  I,  309th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Bois  de  Loges,  France,  October  16,  1918.  Although  pain- 
fully wounded  early  in  an  attack,  he  refused  to  be  evacuated,  and  continued  to  lead  his  platoon  in 
the  advance,  displyaing  marked  personal  bravery.  Home  address:  Mrs.  Mary  Higgins,  mother, 
41  Williams  Street,  Lockport,  N.  Y. 

HOLDEN,  JAMES  E.,  Private,  Headquarters  Company,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
James  E.  Holden,  private.  Headquarters  Company,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Limey,  France,  September  20,  1918.  Undaunted  by  heavy  shell  fire. 
Private  Holden,  a  runner  between  brigade  and  regiment  headquarters,  delivered  an  important 
message,  walking  and  crawling  through  a  wood  which  was  being  so  heavily  bombarded  with  gas 
and  high-explosive  shells  that  it  had  been  evacuated.  He  returned  to  his  post  after  delivering  his 
message  through  the  same  severe  fire. 

HUFF,  CHESTER  R.,  Private,  Medical  Detachment,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Chester  Ray  Huff,  private.  Medical  Detachment,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  17-27,  1918.  During  the  night  of  September  17, 
Private  Huff  gave  proof  of  great  devotion  to  duty  by  leaving  protection  and  assisting  another 
comrade  in  bringing  a  wounded  soldier  to  safety.  Again,  on  the  morning  of  September  27,  he  left 
shelter  and  journeyed  over  500  yards  to  the  side  of  a  wounded  comrade,  through  shell  fire,  carrying 
the  victim  to  the  first-aid  station. 

HULTZEN,  LEE  S.,  First  Lieutenant,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  26,  1919. 
Lee  S.  Hultzen,  first  lieutenant,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinry  heroism  in  action  near, 
Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  26,  1918.  After  reaching  his  objective  with  a  platoon  of 
about  15  men.  Lieutenant  Hvltzen  organized  his  platoon  and  held  it  with  three  captured  German 
machine  guns.  He  cleaned  out  a  "pill  box"  and  attacked  a  dozen  of  the  enemy  with  practically 
no  assistance. 

IRONS,  BEN.JAMIN  G.,  Private  1st  Class,  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  78,  1919. 
Benjamin  G.  Irons  (Army  serial  No.  2411507),  private  first  class.  Medical  Detachment,  311th 
Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  25-26, 
1918.  Private  Irons,  with  another  soldier,  advanced  to  an  exposed  position,  and,  while  adminis- 
tering first  aid  to  a  wounded  man,  the  three  were  suddenly  surrounded  and  captured  by  a  party 
of  the  enemy.  While  being  taken  toward  the  German  lines.  Private  Irons  and  his  companion  at- 
tacked their  captors  and  succeeding  in  freeing  themselves,  at  the  same  time  capturing  two  Germans, 
whom  they  brought  to  battalion  headquarters,  together  with  the  wounded  man.  Home  address: 
Eden  B.  Irons  (father),  Silverton,  N.  J. 


Winners  of  Decorations  203 

JILLSON,  HOWARD  D.,  Private,  Co.  F,  309th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  125,  1918. 
Howard  D.  Jillson,  Private,  Company  F,  309th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
in  Bois  de  Hailbat,  northeast  of  Jaulny,  France,  September  17,  1918.     Although  suffering  from 
illness,  he  volunteered  as  runner,  and  repeatedly  carried  messages  across  heavily  shelled  areas, 
displaying  the  greatest  courage  and  coolness. 

JOERGER,  CARL  F.,  Private,  Co.  M,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Carl  F.  Joerger,  private.  Company  M,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  24,  1918.    Leaving  his  dugout.  Private  Joerger  voluntarily  crawled 
across  a  machine-gun-swept  area  to  the  aid  of  two  wounded  comrades.    While  performing  this 
heroic  task  he  was  seriously  wounded. 

KANTZ,  CLARENCE  E.,  Sergeant,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  20,  1919. 
Clarence  E.  Kantz,  sergeant.  Company  K,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  26,  1918.  During  an  enemy  counter-attack.  Sergeant 
Kantz  by  his  foresight  saved  the  company  on  the  right  of  his  platoon  by  reinforcing  that  company's 
flank.  This  action  stopped  the  advance  of  several  machine  gunners,  who  were  advancing  through 
our  lines  at  that  point,  but  cost  Sergeant  Kantz  his  life 

KARG,  HOWARD  M.,  Sergeant,  1st  Battalion,  Intelligence  Section,  309th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Howard  M.  Karg,  sergeant.  Company  A,  309th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action,  St.  Juvin,  France,  November  5,  1918.    Under  terrific  enemy  bombardment  he  carried  a 
soldier  who  was  overcome  by  gas  for  a  distance  of  50  yards  over  a  road  exposed  to  the  direct  fire 
of  enemy  machine  guns,  snipers,  and  shell  fire  to  a  place  of  safety. 

KARWOSKI,  PAUL  J.,  Sergeant,  Co.  M,  311th  Infantry. 

W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919.     Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
Paul  J.  Karwoski,  sergeant.  Company  M,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  28,  1918.    Acting  as  a  scout,  he  obtained  valuable  informa- 
tion as  to  the  location  of  enemy  positions,  and,  single-handed,  attacked  a  machine-gun  crew, 
killing  one  of  the  enemy  and  taking  the  remaining  two  prisoners. 

KING,  JAMES  NORMAN,  Chaplain,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  127,  1918. 
James  Norman  King,  first  lieutenant,  chaplain,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  16,  1918.  He  gave  proof  of  unhesitating  devotion 
and  energy  far  beyond  all  call  of  his  duty  as  battalion  chaplain.  He  was  continually  on  the  out- 
post lines  searching  for  and  burying  the  dead  and  circulating  among  the  men  in  the  trenches. 
During  the  entire  period  the  line  was  subjected  to  extremely  heavy  shelling  from  the  enemy,  yet 
he  allowed  nothing  to  interfere  with  his  having  burial  services  for  the  dead  that  were  brought  to 
the  burial  ground  located  within  the  shelled  area.  He  was  sent  to  the  rear,  but  he  prevailed  upon 
the  surgeon  tc  allow  him  to  return  to  the  front  and  continue  his  work. 

LANGLEY,  JOHN  H.,  Private,  Medical  DeUchment,  Co.  G,  311th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  27,  1919.     Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
John  H.  Langley,  private.  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Chevieres,  France,  October  21,  1918.    He  remained  on  duty  continuously  for  four 


204  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

hours  administering  aid  to  wounded  men  under  heavy  shell  fire.  Finding  that  he  could  not  properly 
work  while  wearing  his  gas  mask,  he  removed  it,  though  many  gas  shells  were  bursting  in  his 
vicinity.    After  being  gassed,  he  continued  to  work  for  an  hour  until  all  the  woimded  were  attended. 

LANIGHAN,  MATTHEW  S.,  Sergeant,  Co.  I,  309th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  87,  1919. 
Matthew  S.  Lanighan  (Army  serial  No.  1735646),  sergeant.  Company  I,  309th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  16,  1918.  Although  wounded,  he 
refused  to  be  evacuated  and  led  his  men  with  marked  personal  courage,  captiu-ing  several  enemy 
machine  guns  and  prisoners.  He  was  killed  while  organizing  his  platoon  for  a  further  advance 
Next  of  kin:  Edward  Lanighan  (father).  Market  and  Exchange  Streeets,  Lockport,  N.  Y. 

LAWLESS,  JAMES  B.,  Sergeant,  Machine  Gun  Co.,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
James  B.  Lawless,  sergeant.  Machine  Gun  Company,  310th  Infantry.      For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  22,  1918.    During  a  raid.  Sergeant  Lawless 
bayoneted  the  men  at  two  enemy  machine  guns  which  were  firing  upon  our  raiding  party  and  put 
several  others  out  of  action  with  hand  grenades. 

LAWRENCE.  HULL  F.,  Private,  Co.  K,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
HtiH  F.  Latorence,  private.  Company  K,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.  While  his  company  was  seeking  shelter  from  a  con- 
tinuous rain  of  machine-gun  bullets.  Private  Lawrence  voluntarily  carried  messages  from  his 
company  commander,  who  was  lying  wounded  under  enemy  observation,  to  battalion  head- 
quarters. He  worked  under  heavy  bombardment  at  all  times,  but  showed  remarkable  courage  and 
devotion  to  duty  while  thus  engaged. 

LEHY,  HOWARD  C,  Sergeant,  Co.  B,  311th  Infantry. 

W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919.     Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
Howard  C.  Leky,  sergeant.  Company  B,  311th  Infantry.      For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Bols  de  Grand  Fontaine,  France,  September  26,  1918.    After  his  patrol  had  disposed  of  two. 
sniper  posts  with  rifle  grenades,  he  held  his  group  in  position  and  covered  the  withdrawal  of  his 
platoon  from  heavy  enfilading  machine-gun  fire  of  the  enemy. 

LEWIS,  ROBERT  D.,  Corporal,  Co.  M,  311th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Robert  D.  Lewis,  corporal.  Company  M,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraodinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  27,  1918.  After  his  company  had  reached  its  objective.  Corporal 
Lewis  rendered  valuable  assistance  in  organizing  positions  on  ground  swept  by  enemy  fire.  Alone, 
he  flanked  a  machine-gun  position  and  captured  two  prisoners.  While  patroling  between  the  out- 
posts he  was  wounded  by  machine-gun  fire. 

LIGHT,  LAVERN,  Corporal,  Co.  E,  31 1th  Infantry. 
W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  98,  1919. 
Lavem  Light  (Army  serial  No.  2417804),  corporal.  Company  E,  311th  Infantry.  For  extra- 
ordinary heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  While  his  company  and 
two  others  were  fighting  to  prevent  being  cut  off  and  annihilated  by  the  enemy.  Corporal  Light 
voluntarily  crept  out  10  yards  in  advance  of  the  line  and  killed  five  of  the  enemy  who  were  attempt- 
ing to  execute  an  encircling  movement  with  machine  guns.  Remaining  in  his  exposed  position 
with  fcool  tenacity  he  contributed  materially  toward  reducing  the  hostile  forces  and  making  possible 
a  rush  by  his  company.      Home  address:  Purl  Light,  father,  R.  F.  D.  No.  2,  Hartwich,  N.  Y. 


Winners  of  Decorations  205 

LOOMIS,  JOHN  H.,  Corporal,  Co.  F,  311th  Infantry. 

W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

John  H.  Loomis,  corporal.  Company  F,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  28,  1918.  Corporal  Loomis  volunteered  to  lead  a  three-man  patrol 
on  a  reconnaissance  of  enemy  positions.  After  one  of  his  men  had  been  wounded,  he  continued 
on  with  the  other  one  and  gained  the  information  sought.  Being  wounded  on  the  return  trip  by 
fire  from  machine  guns,  he  was  forced  to  remain  under  cover  until  night,  when  he  located  his  other 
wounded  man  and  returned  under  cover  of  darkness  with  valuable  information. 

McCRUDDEN,  JAMES  F.,  Private,  Co.  M,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

James  F.  McCrudden,  private.  Company  M,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandprfe,  France,  October  26,  1918.  Acting  on  his  own  initiative,  after  all  runners 
had  failed  to  deliver  a  message.  Private  McCrudden  carried  a  message  through  an  intense  machine- 
gun  fire  for  the  captain  of  his  company.  Upon  reaching  the  company  he  found  that  the  captain 
had  been  killed  and  immediately  returned  through  the  same  sweeping  fire  to  report  the  fact. 

McCUNN,  WALTER  T.,  Private  1st  Class,  Medical  Detachment,  303rd  Engineers. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

Walter  T.  McCunn,  private  first  class.  Medical  Detachment,  303rd  Engineers.  For  extra- 
ordinary heroism  in  action  near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  29,1918.  He  was  administering 
first  aid  to  two  wounded  comrades  in  No  Man's  Land,  under  heavy  shell  fire,  when  an  exploding 
shell  killed  both  of  the  wounded  and  rendered  him  unconscious  for  more  than  an  hour.  Upon  his 
recovery  he  remained  at  his  post,  administering  treatment  to  others. 

McGUIRE,  JAMES,  Sergeant,  Co.  B,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

James  McGuire,  sergeant.  Company  B,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Talma  Farm,  France,  October  23, 1918.  Without  regard  for  his  own  danger.  Sergeant  McGuire 
went  to  the  rescue  of  a  wounded  comrade  who  was  lying  seriously  wounded  100  yards  in  front  of 
our  lines.  He  carried  him  safely  to  the  aid  station,  crossing  and  recrossing  an  area  swept  by  intense 
artillery  and  machine-gun  fire,  and  under  the  direct  observation  of  the  enemy. 

McDonald,  GEORGE  T.,  Corporal,  Co.  E,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  32,  1919. 
George  T.  McDonald,  corporal.  Company  E,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  While  accompanying  a  separated  detachment. 
Corporal  McDonald  voluntarily  entered  a  dense  woods,  infested  with  snipers  and  machine  guns,  to 
locate  the  main  body  of  his  company.  The  success  of  this  mission  enabled  the  lost  detachment  to 
occupy  their  positions  with  the  company.  During  the  entire  action  of  his  company  Corporal 
McDonald  was  forever  eager,  in  his  capacity  as  runner,  to  assume  the  most  hazardous  risks  to 
maintain  liaison  between  units. 

McINTYRE,  DONALD,  Second  Lieutenant,  Co.  E,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

Donald  Roy  Mclntyre,  second  lieutenant.  Company  E,  310th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary 

heroism  in  action  near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  18,  1918.    Seeing  one  of  his  men  lying 

wounded  in  a  shell  hole  in  front  of  his  main  line.  Lieutenant  Mclntyre  passed  through  an  intense 

barrage  to  his  aid.    Having  bandaged  his  wounds,  he  brought  back  his  man  to  a  place  of  safety. 


206  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

MANZI,  NICHOLAS,  Private,  Medical  Detachment,  309th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  126,  1919. 

Nicholas  Manzi  (Army  serial  No.  2414276),  private,  Medical  Detachment,  1st  Battalion, 
309th  Infantry,  78th  Division.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Jaulny,  France,  October 
3,  1918.  During  a  heavy  bombardment  of  our  front  lines.  Private  Manzi  went  50  yards  in  advance 
of  our  positions  to  an  automatic-rifle  post  to  dress  the  wounds  of  three  of  the  crew.  He  tken 
assisted  the  wounded  men,  one  by  one,  to  reach  a  place  of  safety.  All  this  time  the  line  was  under 
steady  machine-gun  fire  as  well  as  bombardment.  Home  address:  31  Harlington  Street,  Franklin, 
Mass. 

MASLOSKY,  JOHN,  Private,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 

W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919.    Awarded  D.  S.  C. 

John  Maslosky,  private.  Company  K,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  26,  1918.  He  displyaed  exemplary  devotion  to  duty  in  attacking 
machine-gun  nests  without  aid  and  capturing  many  prisoners.  For  several  hours  he  worked  in 
advance  of  the  company,  and,  although  believed  to  have  been  lost,  he  later  returned,  bringing  with 
him  many  more  prisoners. 

MERRILL,  JESSE  HERBERT,  Private,  Co.  E,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Jesse  Herbert  Merrill,  private.  Company  E,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  in  the  Bois  de  Ronvaux,  France,  September  15-17,  1918.  With  the  remark,  "I  can  get 
through  and  find  him,"  Private  Merrill  volunteered  and  carried  a  message  from  his  regimental 
commander  to  the  commander  of  an  advance  battalion  through  a  fire  that  seemed  impassable. 
He  returned  with  amazing  promptness  with  an  answer  to  the  message.  This  soldier  made  several 
other  trips  on  the  same  night,  finding  his  way  through  a  dark  forest,  actually  walking  on  bodies  of 
men  who  had  fallen  in  the  only  path  that  could  be  used. 

SCHMIDT,  FERDINAND  A.,  Private,  Co.  B,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Ferdinand  A.  Schmidt,  private.  Company  B,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Talma  Farm,  France,  October  22,  1918.  When  his  company's  advance  had  been 
held  up  by  intense  machine-gun  fire,  he  crawled  through  a  barrage  of  hand  grenades  and  at  the 
point  of  his  bayonet  held  19  of  the  enemy  in  a  dugout  until  assistance  arrived.  Before  performing 
this  courageous  act  he  was  slightly  wounded. 

SCHOOLEY,  HARRY  T.,  Corporal,  Co.  L,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Harry  T.  Schooley,  corporal.  Company  L,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.  After  his  platoon  had  fallen  back  under  heavy 
shell  fire.  Corporal  Schooley  made  a  personal  reconnaissance  of  an  enemy  machine-gim  nest  through 
a  heavy  barrage,  killed  one  of  the  enemy  gunners,  and  drove  off  the  others  with  hand  grenades, 
thereby  enabling  his  platoon  to  resume  its  position. 

SCHROTH,  RAYMOND  A.,  First  Sergeant,  Co.  E,  311th  Infantry.    . 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Raymond  A.  Schorth,  first  sergeant.  Company  E,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November   1,   1918.    He  was  directed  to  lead  an  attack  against 
an  enemy  machine-gun  nest  which  was  impeding  the  progress  of  his  company.    Reaching  a  point 


Winners  of  Decorations  207 

within  50  feet  of  the  stronghold,  he  ordered  an  attack,  and  six  Germans  near  the  gun  sought  to 
surrender  until  they  saw  the  strength  of  his  force,  now  reduced  through  casualties  to  two  or  three 
men.  The  enemy  was  then  reinforced  by  20  men  and  launched  a  severe  counter-attack,  which 
forced  Sergeant  Schroth  to  abandon  his  attack.  After  ordering  his  men  to  safety,  he  remained  at 
his  post  alone,  fighting  against  the  superior  forces  until  he  drove  a  prisoner  back  to  our  lines  at  the 
point  of  his  empty  pistol.  Despite  his  desire  to  provide  safety  for  his  patrol,  he  was  the  only 
survivor  to  return  from  the  mission. 

SECOR,  JOHN  H.,  Sergeant,  Co.  M,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  145,  1918. 
John  H.  Secor,  sergeant,  Company  M,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  16,  1918.  Having  been  painfully  wounded  in  the  foot,  he  remained 
with  his  platoon  and  went  over  the  top  with  it  in  the  advance  near  St.  Juvin.  He  gallantly  assisted 
his  platoon  commander  in  the  attack  until  he  was  again  wounded  and  rendered  unable  to  advance 
farther.  His  example  of  bravery  and  devotion  to  duty  furnished  an  inspiring  example  to  the 
other  members  of  the  platoon,  many  of  whom  were  under  fire  for  the  first  time. 

SAMPLE,  FRANK  J.,  Private,  Co.  I,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Frank  J.  Sample,  private.  Company  I,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  Under  heavy  machine-gun  fire.  Private  Sample, 
a  battalion  runner,  volunteered  to  carry  an  important  message  to  a  detachment  on  the  extreme 
flank  after  seeing  two  runneis  killed  by  machine-gun  fire  while  endeavoring  to  deliver  the  same 
message.     He  was  successful  in  his  mission. 

SINER,  EARL  R.,  Piivate  1st  Class,  Co.  G,  310th  Infantry.  • 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W,  D.-G.  O.  No.  89,  1919. 

Earl  R.  Siner  (Army  serial  No.  1756625),  private  first  class.  Company  G,  310th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  26,  1918.  While  his  com- 
pany was  on  outpost  duty  Private  Siner  crawled  out  from  a  trench,  under  heavy  enemy  fire,  to 
rescue  a  wounded  comrade  and  was  instantly  killed  by  a  bursting  shell  just  as  he  had  reached  the 
wounded  man.    Next  of  kin:  Joseph  A.  Siner,  19  Lyon  Street,  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 

SLATER,  NORMAN  C,  Private,  Co.  H,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  70,  1919. 
Norman  C.  Slater  (Army  serial  No.  2942033),  private.  Company  H,  312th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  17,  1918.  Although  wounded 
by  a  shell  fragment,  he  refused  treatment,  volunteering  his  services  as  a  litter  bearer  for  other 
wounded.  Next  day  he  accompanied  his  platoon  in  the  attack.  After  heavy  fighting  for  some 
hours  under  terrific  machine-gun  fire,  a  withdrawal  was  ordered.  Private  Slater  remaining  in  ad- 
vance with  an  automatic  rifle  squad  to  cover  the  withdrawal.  Being  one  of  the  last  to  go  back, 
he  was  killed  by  shell  fire  on  his  way  to  the  new  position.  Home  address,  Mrs.  EflBe  Hinman 
(mother),  R.  F.  D.  No.  1,  Bainbridge,  N.  Y.  • 

SLOVER,  LUKE  E.,  JR.,  Private  1st  Class,  Co.  B,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  27,  1919. 
Luke  E.  Slover,  Jr.,  private  first  class.  Company  B,  31 1th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Vieville-en-Haye.  France,  September  24-25,  1918.  On  the  night  of  September  24, 
Private  Slover  repeatedly  carried  messages  between  his  company  and  battalion  headquarters, 
through  a  heavy  barrage.  He  also  took  the  place  of  a  wounded  litter  bearer  and  assisted  in  bringing 
in  wounded  under  shell  fire.    He  was  later  killed  in  action. 


208  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

SPATARO,  DOMINICO,  Private,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Dominico  Spataro,  private.  Company  K,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  25-26,  1918.     Private  Spataro,  with  hand  grenades,  broke  up  an 
enemy  machine-gun  nest  and  took  four  prisoners  without  assistance.     He  voluntarily  acted  as 
stretcher  bearer  for  a  period  of  26  hours,  performing  valiant  services  until  severely  wounded. 

STERN,  HENRY  R.,  First  Lieutenant,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  2,  1920. 

First  Lieutenant  Henry  R.  Stem,  Company  H,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  20,  1918.  During  an  enemy  attack  on  the  posi- 
tion held  by  his  platoon,  after  being  severely  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  machine-gun  bullet,  he 
remained  in  a  position  subjected  to  heavy  machine-gun  fire,  and  refused  to  accept  aid  until  after 
the  attack  had  been  repulsed.    His  deed  greatly  encouraged  his  men. 

TEMPLE,  JOHN  E.,  Private,  Co.  I,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  64,  1919. 
John  E.  Temple,  private.  Company  I,  312th  Infantry  (Army  serial  No.  1736172).  For  extra- 
ordinary heroism  in  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23, 1918.  After  his  platoon  had  reached 
its  objective  and  was  forced  to  retire  under  perilous  machine-gun  fire.  Private  Temple  and  two 
companions  were  surrounded  by  the  enemy.  His  companions  were  wounded,  but  he  bravely  held 
oflf  the  enemy,  after  which  he  assisted  both  his  companions  to  a  first-aid  station.  Home  address, 
William  H.  Temple,  father,  Marshall  ton,  Del. 

VOLK,  JOSEPH  W.,  Private,  Co.  B,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Joseph  W.  Volk,  private.  Company  B,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  22,  1918.  While  engaged  as  runner,  he  carried  messages  to  and 
from  advanced  positions,  and,  although  wounded,  continued  through  the  whole  afternoon  before 
his  wound  was  discovered.  Even  then  he  volunteered  to  carry  an  important  message  to  the  front 
lines.  While  directing  his  company  commander  and  a  number  of  wounded  men  through  an  intense 
barrage  he  successfully  forded  a  river  four  times,  showing  during  the  entire  operations  an  utter 
disregard  of  personal  safety. 

WALDO,  ANTONIO  G„  First  Sergeant,  Co.  C,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  87, 1919. 
Antnoio  G.  Waldo  (Army  serial  No.  1762180),  first  sergeant.  Company  C,  310th  Infantry 
For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  the  Bois  des  Loges,  France,  November  1-4, 1918.  Taking 
command  of  his  company  after  all  the  oflBcers  had  been  wounded.  Sergeant  Waldo  displayed 
exceptional  courage  and  leadership  in  holding  an  advanced  position  throughout  the  night  and 
leading  his  men  in  a  successful  advance  next  morning.  On  the  three  following  days  he  directed 
the  operations  of  his  company  against  enemy  machine  guns  and  by  skillful  maneuvering  of  patrols 
succeeded  in  reducing  the  hostile  resistance.  Home  address:  Mrs.  Evelyn  M.  Waldo  (wife),  116 
East  Hickory  Street,  Canastota,  N.  Y. 

WALSH,  RICHARD  J.,  Lieutenant,  Dental  Corps,  303rd  Engineers. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Richard  J.  Walsh,  first  lieutenant,  Dental  Corps,  303rd  Engineers.     For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Marcq,  France,  October  18,  1918.     Voluntarily  acting  as  battalion  medical  oflicer. 
Lieutenant  Walsh,  although  severely  gassed,  administered  first  aid  to  injured  men  under  heavy 
shell  fire.     He  worked  constantly  until  all  the  wounded  were  removed  to  places  of  safety. 


Winners  of  Decorations  209 

WEBER,  JOHN  F.,  First  Lieutenant,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

John  F.  Weber,  first  lieutenant.  Medical  Corps,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  29,  1918;  At  Chevtieres,  France,  October  15, 
1918;  and  at  Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.  On  September  29  and  the  following  days  Lieu- 
tenant Weber  remained  at  his  aid  station  under  shell  and  machine-gun  fire,  giving  medical  aid 
and  directing  the  evacuation  of  wounded.  On  October  15  he  established  an  unprotected  aid  station, 
and  though  slightly  gassed,  he  continued  to  give  first  aid  to  the  wounded  and  direct  their  evacua- 
tion. On  October  25  he  left  his  battalion  in  support  and  continued  to  the  town  of  Grandpre,  where 
he  established  an  aid  station,  keeping  on  with  his  work  through  heavy  bombardment  of  the  town. 

WELSH,  EDWARD  J.,  Sergeant,  Co.  G,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 

Edward  J.  Welsh,  sergeant.  Company  D,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  19, 1918.  After  having  received  seven  machine-gun  wounds, 
he  refused  to  go  to  the  dressing  station,  remaining  with  his  company  and  rendering  valuable  aid 
to  both  his  platoon  and  company  commander. 

WESCOTT,  ALLEN  P.,  Private,  Troop  C,  2nd  Cavalry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  15,  1919. 

Allen  P.  Wescott,  private.  Troop  C,  2nd  Cavalry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near 
Chevtieres,  France,  October  21,  1918.  Becoming  separated  from  his  own  organization,  he  at- 
tached himself  to  an  Infantry  company.  While  on  a  patrol  he  was  wounded  three  times.  After 
the  party  had  been  surrounded  by  German  machine  guns,  he  volunteered  to  carry  a  message  to 
the  company  commander,  wading  across  the  Aire  River  in  so  doing.  After  guiding  a  platoon  to 
the  relief  of  the  patrol,  he  again  made  several  trips  to  and  from  the  company  post  of  command, 
crossing  through  the  river  waist  deep  five  times  after  being  wounded.  He  was  sent  to  the  rear 
against  his  vigorous  protests,  and,  after  being  tagged  for  evacuation,  he  gave  further  proof  of  his 
devotion  to  duty  and  unselfishness  by  helping  carry  another  wounded  soldier  3  miles  on  a  stretcher. 
(210.52,  A.  G.  0.1 

WHITE,  TRACY  S.,  First  Sergeant,  Co.  B,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  81,  1919. 

Tracy  S.  White  (^rmy  serial  No.  2410793),  first  sergeant.  Company  B,  311th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Ferme  des  Loges,  France,  October  19,  1918.  When  the 
position  his  company  held  was  enfiladed  and  communication  to  the  rear  cut  oflF,  he  volunteered  to 
carry  a  message  to  the  battalion  commander  after  several  runners  had  been  killed  in  the  attempt. 
Crossing  ground  swept  by  intense  machine-gun  and  artillery  fire,  he  delivered  the  message  and 
returned  with  orders  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  company.  Home  address,  Mrs.  Tracy  S.  White 
(wife),  116  Broadway,  Long  Branch,  N.  J. 

WHITE,  WALTER  D.,  Private,  Co.  B,  309th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  78,  1919. 

Walter  D.  White  (Army  serial  No.  1750790),  private.  Company  B,  309th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  the  Bois  des  Loges,  France,  November  1,  1918.  While 
acting  as  runner.  Private  White  volunteered  to  carry  a  message  across  a  long  stretch  of  open  country 
which  was  subjected  to  heavy  machine-gun  and  artillery  fire.  He  successfully  crossed  the  space 
and  delivered  his  message,  but  in  an  attempt  to  return  he  was  killed  by  a  rain  of  machine-gun 
bullets.  Hi3  conduct  served  as  an  inspiration  to  other  runners.  Next  of  kin:  Mis.  Carrie  L. 
White  (mother),  Byron,  N.  Y. 


210  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

WHITEHEAD,  LEWIS  E.,  Sergeant,  Medical  Corps,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Letffis  E.  Whitehead,  sergeant.  Medical  Corps,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  16,  1918.  Sergeant  Whitehead,  then  corporal,  after  giving 
first  aid  to  his  platoon  leader,  who  had  been  wounded,  took  command  of  the  platoon  and  led  it  in 
an  attack  in  the  face  of  concentrated  enemy  artillery  and  macine-gun  fire,  reaching  the  objective 
and  effectively  protecting  the  exposed  flank  of  the  assaulting  battalion  with  his  two  guns. 

WHITEMAN,  RALPH  A.,  Sergeant,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  98,  1919. 

Ralph  A.  Whiteman  (Army  serial  No.  1773801),  sergeant.  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.  For 
extraordinary  heroism  in  action  at  Grandpre,  France,  October  18,  1918.  When  his  detachment 
had  become  disorganized  by  sniper  and  machine-gun  fire.  Sergeant  Whiteman,  without  regard  for 
personal  danger,  reorganized  his  command,  and  by  his  gallant  example  led  his  men  against  the 
enemy  machine-gun  position,  capturing  it  and  bringing  the  gun  back  to  our  lines.  Home  address: 
Horace  S.  Whiteman,  Clearfield,  Pa. 

WOOLSCHLAGER,  JOHN  F.,  First  Lieutenant,  Co.  A,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-Staff  Memo.   Feb.  24,  1920. 

"For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  northwest  of  Grandpre,  France,  October  18,  1918.  In 
the  attack  of  morning  of  October  18,  Lieutenant  Woolschlager  was  severely  wounded,  both  legs 
being  broken.  He  nevertheless  retained  command  of  his  platoon  and  that  of  an  adjoining  platoon. 
Throughout  the  day,  exposed  to  heavy  machine-gun  and  artillery  fire,  he  encouraged  and  directed 
his  men.    Due  to  his  efforts,  the  position,  gained  at  great  cost,  was  held  against  enemy  attacks." 

ZAVODSKY,  JOHN,  Sergeant,  Co.  D,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  26,  1919. 

John  Zavodshy,  sergeant.  Company  D,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  26,  1918.  Although  he  was  wounded,  he  remained 
with  his  company  until  its  objective  was  reached  before  seeking  first-aid  treatment. 


DISTINGUISHED  SERVICE  NEDALS 

McRAE,  JAMES  H.,  Major  General,  78th  Division. 

Awarded  D.  S.  M.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  12,  1919. 
Major  General  James  H.  McRae,  United  States  Army.  For  exceptionally  meritorious  and 
distinguished  services.  He  commanded  with  great  credit  the  Seventy-eighth  Division  in  the 
Argonne-Meuse  offensive  and  had  an  important  part  in  that  operation  which  forced  the  enemy  to 
abandon  Grandpre.  In  this  and  other  campaigns  his  personal  influence  on  the  result  obtained 
showed  a  rich  quality  of  military  leadership. 

STANBERRY,  SANFORD  B.,  Brigadier  General,  155th  Infantry  Brigade. 
Awarded  D.  S.  M.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  89,  1919. 
Sanford  B.  Stanberry,  brigadier  general.  Infantry,  United  States  Army.  For  exceptionally 
meritorious  and  distinguished  services.  Having  taken  command  of  the  155th  Infantry  Brigade 
prior  to  the  attack  of  November  1,  he  proved  himself  a  forceful  and  capable  military  leader.  With 
the  tactical  situation  thoroughly  in  hand,  by  his  zeal  and  good  judgment  he  contributed  to  the 
brilliant  results  attained  during  the  severe  fighting  in  the  advance  toward  Sedan  in  the  final  phase 
of  the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive. 


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212  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

MORGAN,  JOHN  M.,  Colonel,  309th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  M.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  89,  1919. 

John  M.  Morgan,  colonel.  Infantry,  United  States  Army.  For  exceptionally  meritorious  and 
distinguished  services.  As  commanding  oflScer  of  the  309th  Infantry  during  the  last  two  months 
of  hostilities  he  displayed  marked  qualities  of  leadership  and  unflagging  energy.  By  the  skillful 
manner  in  which  he  conducted  his  regiment  during  the  advance  through  the  Bois  de  Loges  in  the 
first  part  of  November  he  contributed  materially  to  the  successes  of  his  division  in  its  operations 
in  the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive. 

BABCOCK,  WALTER  C,  Colonel,  310th  Infantry. 

AwABDED  D.  S.  M.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  87,  1919. 

Walter  C.  Babcock  colonel.  Infantry,  United  States  Army.  For  exceptionally  meritorious 
and  distinguished  services.  In  command  of  the  310th  Infantry  he  displayed  marked  ability  alike 
in  its  organiztion  and  training  and  in  the  field.  In  offensive  operations  against  the  enemy  he  led 
his  command  with  exceptional  judgment  and  tactical  ability,  showing  himself  always  possessed 
of  a  full  grasp  of  the  situation  and  its  needs,  and  keeping  his  higher  commanders  at  all  times  in- 
formed of  the  conditions  as  he  learned  them  by  personal  reconnaissance.  He  was  untiring  in 
energy  and  devotion  to  the  important  tasks  assigned  him,  acting  unhesitatingly  and  successfully 
in  times  of  emergency. 

FOREIGN  DECORATIONS 

ADAMS,  JAMES  S.,  Private  1st  Class,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 

"A  soldier  of  an  admirable  courage  while  under  violent  machine  gun  fire  did  not  hesitate, 
though  being  on  open  ground,  to  give  first  aid  to  a  wounded  oflBcer  and  bring  him  back  to  shelter." 

ALDRIDGE,  JOSEPH  S.,  Jr.,  2414730,  Private,  Co.  B,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 

"Soldier  of  an  admirable  courage.  From  September  24th  to  26th,  1918,  carried  rapidly  and 
under  a  violent  barrage  fire  messages  between  his  company  and  Staff  of  the  battalion.  He  also 
took  the  place  of  a  wounded  stretcher-bearer  and  accomplished  this  service  under  a  heavy  bom- 
bardment." 

-  i.  •  -  '     ^. 

BUDD,  ARTHUR  D.,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  Italian  Commander  of  the  Crown  of  Italy. 

Awarded  Italian  War  Cross.  (No  citation  for  either). 

Awarded  Greek  Military  Medal  (3rd  class). 

Awarded  Greek  War  Cross  (no  citation). 

Awarded  Montenegrin  Order  of  Danilo  I  (no  citation). 

Awarded  Roumanian  Order  of  the  Crown  (Commander)  (no  citation). 

Awarded  Serbian  Order  of  the  White  Eagle  (Commander)  (no  citation). 

Awarded  Panamaian  La  Solidaridad  (no  citation). 

Awarded  French  Legion  of  Honor  (Chevalier). 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Palm. 

French  citation  as  follows: 

"His  regiment  being  subject  to  a  very  violent  bombardment  on  a  newly  conquered  position, 
he  went  in  person  from  one  end  of  the  position  to  the  other  for  the  purpose  of  re-establishing  order 
in  his  unit  and  taking  all  measures  with  a  view  to  warding  off  an  enemy  counter  attack." 


Winners  of  Decorations  213 

BURNS,  HAROLD  W.,  Second  Lieutenant,  308th  Artillery. 

Awarded  French  Legion  of  Honor  and  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  two  Palms. 
"During  the  morning  of  October  23,  1918,  he  displayed  devotion  and  energy  during  the  offen- 
sive operations  in  the  Bois  Bossois,  near  Brabant-sur-Meuse.  On  exposed  terrain,  he  went  from 
gun  to  gun  of  his  section  in  order  to  encourage  his  men  under  direct  machine  gun  fire  and  fire  of 
German  77's.  Was  gassed,  but  refused  to  be  taken  to  the  rear,  retained  the  command  of  his 
platoon  until  the  action  was  completed.  Helped  to  care  for  the  wounded  and  after  that  was 
carried  to  the  rear." 

CAMPBELL,  ALEXANDER,  Sergeant,  Co.  I,  309th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Non-commissioned  oflBcer  endowed  of  most  extraordinary  courage.    Severely  wounded  in 
an  observation  post  together  with  2  other  soldiers.     Transported  them  to  a  dugout  and  rejoined, 
under  barrage  fire,  his  company  and  asked  that  stretcher-bearers  be  sent  to  get  his  comrades.'" 

CASTLEMAN,  LAWRENCE  A.,  2940920,  Private,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  soldier  very  courageous.     The  rest  of  his  company  having  been  obliged  to  evacuate  the 
position,  he  remained  at  his  post  and  by  his  precise  fire  stopped  the  enemy  advance,  contributing 
to  the  recapturing  of  the  abandoned  position." 

CONKLIN,  MATTHEW  E.,  Second  Lieutenant,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"An  officer  of  remarkable  courage.     Was  wounded  while  he  led  his  company  forward  and 
refused  to  be  evacuated  before  a  good  position  for  his  unit  was  found." 

CONOVER,  HOWARD  R.,  Private,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Very  courageous  soldier.  In  action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  20,  1918,  although 
painfully  wounded  in  the  hand,  he  went  to  the  assistance  of  a  wounded  comrade  who  was  lying 
helpless  in  an  exposed  position.  He  carried  him  from  the  front,  a  distance  of  400  yards,  on  his 
back,  and  when  forced  to  relinquish  his  burden  because  of  exhaustion,  he  informed  and  led  stretcher- 
bearers,  thus  saving  the  life  of  his  comrade." 

DE    ROGATIS,    ELBERT,    Private,    Co.    M,    309th    Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Medaille  Militaire  and  French  Crois  de  Guerre  with  Palm. 
"He  particularly  distinguished  himself  in  battle.    When  his  company  was  held  back  by  a 
heavy  machine  gun  fire,  of  his  own  accord  he  madejhis  way  to  a  place  behind  an  enemy  machine 
gun  position,  killing  one  German  and  capturing  7  others  as  well  as  2  machine  guns." 

DELOTO,  PETER,  Sergeant,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Medaille  Militaire  and  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Palm. 

"Non-commissioned  officer  of  remarkable  courage.     During  the  attack  he  took  8  prisoners 

unaided,  and  then  he  contributed  in  the  capture  of  16  others.  [Seeing  his  company  held  in  check 

by  machine-gun  fire,  he  went  out  alone  and  captured  the  gun.     He  was  wounded  in  the  leg  during 

this  battle." 

DUFFY,  FRANCIS  A.,  Private  (2414057)  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  soldier  of  great  devotion,  he  remained  in  the  first  lines  under  a  violent  artillery  fire,  giving 
first  aid  to  40  wounded.     During  the  advance  of  his  company,  he  marched  immediately  behind 
the  first  wave." 


214  History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 

FOGG,  PRESTON  D.,  Lieutenant,  Co.  E.  309th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"An  officer  of  splendid  gallantry,  commanding  his  company  at  the  attack  of  Champigneulle,  on 
October  16,  1918,  although  himself  wounded,  he  carried  another  wounded  officer  to  shelter." 

FAHEY,  JOSEPH  H.,  Sergeant,  311th  Infantry,  Co.  B. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  non-commissioned  officer  of  great  courage,  he  made  three  attempts  to  silence  a  number  of 
machine  guns  which  were  impeding  the  advance  of  his  section.     Wounded  during  the  action." 

FAZLER,  ROBERT,  1751332,  Private,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  very  courageous  soldier.     After  having  carried  a  message  to  the  headquarters  of  his  bat- 
talion, passing  through  the  principal  street  of  Grandpre,  strongly  bombarded,  he  went  to  the  aid 
of  a  comrade  under  enemy  fire,  and  without  thought  of  danger  gave  him  first  aid  and  carried  him 
to  a  safer  place." 

GALLAGHER.  CORNELIUS  E.,  Sergeant,  No.  2411781,  309th  Machine  Gim  Battalion,  Co.  C. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Very  courageous  non-commissioned  officer,  though  being  wounded  in  the  shoulder  stayed  at 
his  post  for  six  hours,  encouraging  the  soldiers  of  his  section  to  drive  back  the  counter-attack. 
Left  the  lines  only  under  direct  orders." 

GUMBS,  ESRIC  C,  2450352,  Private,  Co.  E,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  soldier  of  splendid  courage,  as  battalion  runner,  by^his  courage,  he  aided  in  the  advance 
of  his  battalion,  not  hesitating  to  cross  rapidly  through  cannon  and  machine-gun  fire  in  order  to 
carry  messages  from  one  company  to  the  other." 

HARGRAVE,  THOMAS  J.,  Captain,  Co.  C,  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Most  courageous  officer.    On  October  26th,  in  spite  of  a  violent  artillery^fire  and  machine 
gim  fire,  came  back  from  a  reconnaissance  with  valuable  information  which  enabled  him  to  counter- 
attack with  success." 

HUFF,  CHESTER  RAY,  Private,  Medical  Detachment,  310th  Infantry.  '^"     ^'^ 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Soldier  of  an  admirable  courage,  did  not  hesitate  to  search  over  distance  of  400  meter  under 

a  heavy  fire  for  the  purpose  of  finding  and  bringing  back  a  wounded  soldier." 

:  ,aotii»oq  0IIS 

HULTZEN,  LEE  S.,  First  Lieutenant,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Legion  of  Honor  (Chevalier)  and  French  Croix  de  Guerre 
with  Palm. 
"A  courageous  officer.    September  26,  1918,  after  attaining  his  objective  with  a  unit  composed 
of  about  15  men,  he  held  it  with  3  machine  guns;  he  also,  without  help,  cleared  a  machine  gun 
nest  and  attacked  a  group  of  12  enemies." 

IRONS,  BENJAMIN  G.,  Corporal,  311th  Infantry,  Medical  Corps. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"On  September  26,  1918,  while  administering  first  aid  to  a  wounded  soldier  in  company  with 
r.ni  Another  soldier,  he  and  his  comrades  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  enemy.    While  they  were  being 
b;,;  led  to  the  rear,  he  succeeded  in  freeing  himself  together  with  his  two  comrades  and  in  returning 
to  our  lines  brought  back  two  prisoners." 


Winners  of  Decorations  215 

JILLSON,  HOWARD  D.,  Private,  Co.  F,  309th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Crotx  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  soldier  of  splendid  courage.     As  liaison  agent  of  the  battalion,  although  ill,  he  carried 
messages  under  an  intense  artillery  fire." 

McDonald,  GEORGE  C,  1762843,  Corporal,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Very  courageous  soldier.  On  November  1,  1918,  being  pait  of  a  detachment  instructed  to 
find  the  larger  portion  of  his  company  Corporal  McDonald  voluntarily  penetrated  into  dense  woods 
filled  with  machine  guns.  The  knowledge  obtained  permitted  the  lost  detachment  to  find  its 
company.  Throughout  this  action.  Corporal  McDonald  held  himself  always  ready  as  runner 
to  as.sure  the  most  perilous  liaisons." 

McGUIRE,  JAMES,  1750405,  Sergeant,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  very  courageous  non-commissioned  oflBcer.    Without  thought  of  danger  he  went  to  the 
rescue  of  a  severely  wounded  comrade  lying  in  front  of  the  lines.    He  carried  him  to  the  dressing 
station,  passing  and  re-passing  a  place  swept  by  bombardments  and  direct  enemy  machine  gun 
fire." 

McRAE,  JAMES  HENRY,  Major  General,  Commanding  78th  Division. 
Awarded  British  Order  of  the  Bath  (Companion). 
"In  recognition  of  meritorious  services  rendered  the  Allied  cause." 

Awarded  French  Legion  of  Honor  (Commandeur)  and  French  Croix  de  Guerre 
with  Palm. 
"Commanding  Officer  of  the  78th  Division,  which  in  the  course  of  the  Argonne-Meuse  offen- 
sive participated  biilliantly  in  the  operations  which  forced  the  enemy  to  abandon  Grandpre,  thanks 
to  the  energy  and  ability  of  its  commander." 

Awarded  Panamaiam  La  Solidaridad  (2nd  Class)  (no  citation). 

MERRITT,  HARRY  P.,  Sergeant,  1752148,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  very  courageous  non-commissioned  officer.    After  having  established  an  observation  post 
in  broad  daylight  and  under  severe  bombardment  he  volunteered  to  carry  rations  to  the  post. 
Knocked  down  by  a  shell,  he  recovered  himself  and  succeeded  in  reaching  all  those  who  could  not 
leave  their  post,  despite  machine-gun  fire  and  enemy  bombardment." 

MILLS,  EMERY  W.,  Second  Lieuteant,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Stab. 
"An  officer  of  admirable  courage.     In  command  of  a  section,  he  attacked  an  enemy  machine 
gun  nest,  and  advancing  alone,  captured  two  machine  guns.   During  the  consolidation  of  the 
line  he  went  along  the  entire  line  under  violent  firing,  encouraging  his  men  and  setting  them  an 
example  of  the  greatest  coolness." 

MANZI,  NICHOLAS,  Private,  2414276,  Medical  Detachment,  309th  Infantry. 
Awarded  Italian  War  Cross.     (No  citation). 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Soldier  of  an  admirable  courage,  during  a  bombardment  went  40  meters  forward  of  our  first 
entrenchments  to  give  first  aid  to  three  wounded  soldiers  and  to  help  them  to  get  under  shelter." 


216  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

O'CONNOR,  HARRY  GROVER,  2414680,  Sergeant,  Headquarters  Detachment  (Personnel  Office). 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  very  courageous  non-commissioned  officer.  He  voluntarily  assured  the  liaison  between 
the  Division  and  P.  C.  of  a  regiment  on  the  line.  While  performing  his  duty  he  was  seriously 
wounded  by  a  shell  which  struck  two  of  his  comrades.  He  gave  them  water,  rendered  first  aid 
and  sent  a  soldier  for  the  stretcher  bearers.  After  having  been  dressed  he  gave  account  of  his 
mission." 

SCHROTH,  RAYMOND  A.,  1746136,  1st  Sergeant,  Co.  E,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  non-commissioned  officer  of  great  courage.     His  section  being  designated  to  take  a  nest 
of  machine  guns  captured  six  Germans.     On  account  of  reinforcements  by  the  enemy  they  were 
obliged  to  retire.     All  of  his  men  having  been  put  out  of  combat,  he  continued  the  fire  alone, 
completing  well,  his  mission." 

SEMPLE,  FRANK  J.,  Private,  2941349,  Co.  I,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Medaille  Militaire  and  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Palm. 
"He  particularly  distinguished  himself  by  his  bravery  during  the  course  of  a  combat.  He 
volunteered  of  his  own  accord  to  carry  an  important  message,  in  spite  of  a  violent  machine  gun 
barrage,  to  a  detachment  situated  at  the  extreme  flank,  after  two  liaison  agents  who  had  en- 
deavored to  carry  the  same  message  and  had  been  killed.  He  accomplished  his  mission  with  suc- 
cess." 

SPATARO  DOMINICA,  Private,  1736380,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Soldier  of  an  admirable  courage,  destroyed  with  hand  grenades  a  nest  of  machine  guns,  and 
captured  4  prisoners.     Served  voluntarily  as  stretcher-bearer  during  26  hours  until  he  was  severely 
wounded." 

SCHMIDT.  FERDINAND  A.,  Corporal,  Co.  B,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Medaille  Militaire  and  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Palm. 
"Particularly  distinguished  himself  by  his  bravery  in  battle.    When  the  advance  of  his  com- 
pany was  checked  by  an  intense  machine-gun  fire,  he  crawled  under  a  barrage  of  hand    grenades 
and  held  9  soldiers  of  the  enemy  in  a  shelter  at  the  point  of  his  bayonet  until  reinforcements  arrived. 
Before  doing  this  brilliant  feat  of  arms,  he  was  slightly  wounded." 

WEBER,  JOHN  F.,  Lieutenant,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"A  very  courageous  officer.  On  September  29,  and  the  days  following,  he  remained  at  his 
post  under  a  violent  artillery  and  machine  gun  fire,  caring  for  and  evacuating  the  wounded.  On 
October  15,  1918,  he  established  a  temporary  dressing  station  and,  although  seriously  wounded 
by  gas,  he  continued  to  care  for  the  wounded.  On  October  25,  1918,  he  left  his  battalion  and 
went  to  Grandpre  to  establish  a  dressing  station,  where  he  worked  in  spite  of  the  violent  bom- 
barding of  the  city." 

WHITEHEAD,  LEWIS  E.,  1764979,  Corporal  (now  Sergeant),  Machine  Gun  Company,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  French  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Gilt  Star. 
"Corporal  of  great  courage.     The  chief  of  his  section  having  been  wounded,  he  took  command 
of  the  section  and  succeeded  in  attaining  the  objective  under  a  violent  fire  of  artillery  and  machine 
,  guns." 


Winners  of  Decorations  217 

MERRITT,  HARRY  P.,  Sergeant,  Co.  I,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Harry  P.  Merritt,  sergeant.  Company  I,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.  After  having  established  an  observation 
post  without  aid  in  broad  dayhght  and  under  perilous  shell  fire  of  the  enemy  he  volunteered  and 
carried  rations  to  the  post  under  cover  of  darkness.  Though  knocked  down  by  shell  concussion, 
he  reached  every  man  who  was  unable  to  leave  his  post,  and  his  entire  exploit  was  carried  out 
under  most  harassing  machine-gun  and  artillery  fire. 

MILLS,  EDWIN  S.,  Private,  Co.  D,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  46,  1919. 
Edwin  S.  Mills,  private.  Company  D,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.    While  acting  as  a  runner,  he  volunteered  and  carried 
messages  through  several  heavy  barrages  and  under  direct  enemy  fire,  always  accomplishing  his 
mission. 

MILLS,  EMERY  W.,  Second  Lieutenant,  Co.  K,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Emery  W.  Mills,  second  lieutenant,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near 
Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.  Lieutenant  Mills  asked  permission  to  lead  a  platoon  against 
strong  enemy  machine-gun  nests  which  were  blocking  the  advance  of  the  battalion.  He  not  only 
led  his  platoon  in  a  daring  and  extraordinary  successful  attack,  but  personally  advanced  ahead 
of  his  platoon  and  captured  two  machine  guns.  During  the  consolidation  of  the  line  he  fearlessly 
walked  up  and  down  the  line  under  intense  machine-gun  and  artillery  fire,  establishing  strong 
points  and  encouraging  his  men. 

MIX,  RALPH  B.,  Private,  Co.  F,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Ralph  B.  Mix,  private.  Company  F,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  at 
Grandpre,  October  17,  1918.  While  carrying  a  message  through  heavy  shell  and  macLine-gun 
fire  to  an  advanced  platoon,  he  found  two  wounded  men,  whose  injuries  he  dressed.  Upon  returning 
from  his  mission,  he  asked  for  and  received  permission  to  take  food  to  the  wounded  men.  He 
subsequently  made  two  trips  through  intense  fire,  carrying  them  back  to  shelter. 

MOSKOWITZ,  HERMAN,  Private,  Co.  C,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.    W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  133,  1919. 

Herman  Moskowitz  (.Army  serial  No.  2414791),  private,  first  class.  Company  C,  312th  Infantry, 
78th  Division.  For  extraordinary  herosim  in  action  near  Talma  Hill,  France,  October  17-21, 
1918.  As  a  runner  he  displayed  exceptional  courage  and  devotion  to  duty  in  frequently  volun- 
teering and  carrying  messages  through  dangerous  zones  in  addition  to  his  regular  duties.  Though 
lame  as  the  result  of  an  accident,  he  carried  a  number  of  messages  through  a  heavy  barrage  until 
he  was  severely  wounded  by  a  bursting  shell.    Residence:  336  Pennington  Avenue,  Passaic,  N.  J. 

O'CONNOR,  HARRY  GROVER,  Sergeant,  Headquarters  Detachment. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Harry  Graver  O'Connor,  sergeant.  Headquarters  Detachment,  78th  Division.     For  extra- 
ordinary heroism  in  action  near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  15,  1918.    He  volunteered  and  went 
from  his  division  headquarters  to  one  of  the  regiments  in  line  to  obtain  much,  needed  information 
and  to  arrange  for  liaison.    He  covered  the  distance  of  6  kilometers  through  shell  fire  three  times 
before  the  unit  was  found,  and,  while  returning  with  the  information,  was  seriously  wounded  by  a 
shell,  which  mortally  wounded  two  companions.    He  gave  water  and  first  aid  to  the  two  men  and 
dragged  himself  down  the  road  until  he  met  a  soldier,  whom  he  sent  for  an  ambulance.    After 
reaching  the  hospital  and  having  his  wounds  dressed,  he  left  the  hospital  without  the  knowledge 
of  the  attendants  and  delivered  the  information  to  his  division  headquarters  in  person. 


218  History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 

OGLE,  JR.,  EDWARD  W.,  Private,  Co.  H,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Edward  W.  Ogle,  Jr.,  private.  Company  H,  312th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  18,  1918.    Acting  upon  his  own  initiative.  Private  Ogle,  on 
three  different  occasions,  risked  his  life  by  going  in  front  of  his  lines  and  assisting  the  wounded 
comrades  to  a  place  of  safety. 

O'ROURKE,  JAMES  H.,  Private,  Co.  D,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  26,  1919. 
James  H.  O'Rourke,  private.  Company  D,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  26,  1918.    After  being  twice  woimded  he  captured 
two  prisoners  and  took  them  to  the  battalion  headquarters. 

PIAZZA,  JOHN  L.,  Sergeant,  Co.  3,  312th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  No.  35,  1919. 
John  L.  Piazza,  sergeant.  Company  C,  312th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Talma  Farm,  France,  October  17th  1918.  During  the  operations  of  October  17  he  went  through 
a  heavy  machine-gun  and  artillery  fire  to  carry  a  wounded  private  of  his  platoon  from  an  exposed 
position  to  a  place  of  safety.  A  short  time  after  he  carried  a  wounded  officer  of  his  company  across 
an  open  space  of  80  yards  and  a  stream,  subjected  to  machine-gun  and  sniper's  fire,  to  a  place  where 
he  could  be  removed  by  stretcher  bearers. 

PIAZZANI.  JULIUS  A.,  Corporal,  Co.  F,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Julius  A.  Piazzani,  corporal.  Company  F,  310th  Infantry,  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Bois  des  Loges,  France,  October  19,  1918.  When  machine-gun  fire  had  held  up  the 
advance  of  his  company,  and  all  had  entrenched  themselves  in  places  of  safety.  Corporal  Piazzani 
noticed  a  wounded  man  about  250  yards  in  front  of  the  line.  Voluntarily  and  without  hesitation 
he  went  to  the  side  of  the  wounded  man  and  rendered  first  aid.  LTpon  his  return  he  advised  the 
stretcher-bearers,  enabling  them  to  safely  bring  this  man  in,  thereby  saving  his  life. 

QUIRI,  ROBERT,  Sergeant,  Co.  F,  310th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Robert  Quiri,  sergeant.  Company  F,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  18,  1918.  Leading  a  patrol  under  heavy  fire,  he  was  able  to 
protect  an  unprotected  portion  of  his  line  until  the  next  unit  could  take  it  over.  He  was  at  all 
times  an  inspiration  to  his  men,  continually  exposing  himself  to  danger,  while  assuring  their  safety 
and  comfort.  After  having  his  legs  blown  off  and  receiving  other  wounds,  he  gave  all  necessary 
information  to  his  successor  before  allowing  himself  to  be  carried  away.  He  died  soon  after  reach- 
ing the  dressing  station. 

RAINES,  LESTER,  Private,  Co.  C,  309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 

Lester  Raines,  private.   Company   C,   309th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.     For  extraordinary 

heroism  in  action  near  Grandpr  ,  France,  October  29,  to  November  2,  1918.    During  the  five  days 

of  operations  he  worked  without  hesitation  carrying  messages  through  constant  shell  fire  and 

acting  as  guide  for  ration  parties,  his  information  at  all  times  proving  most  valuable  and  accurate. 

RESSEGUIE,  HAROLD  D.,  Captain,  311th  Infantry. 

W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919.     Awarded  D.  S.  C. 
Harold  D.  Resseguie,  captain,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near 
Grandpre,  France,  November  1,  1918.    Although  his  wrist  was  shattered  and  he  was  suffering  from 


Winners  of  Decorations  219 

severe  machine-gun  wounds,  he  continued  to  direct  operations  for  several  hours,  refusing  to  be 
evacuated  until  all  the  other  wounded  had  received  attention.  After  reaching  the  dressing  station, 
although  suflFering  intense  pain,  he  gave  full  tactical  information  to  his  successor. 

ROBBINS,  CHARLES  A.,  1st  Sergeant,  Co.  D,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Charles  A.  Robbins,  firat  sergeant.  Company  D,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism 
in  action  near  Bois  de  Grande  Fontaine,  France,  September  26,  1918.  Although  severely  wounded, 
he  continued  to  advance  with  the  company  until  the  objective  was  reached,  and  then  returned  to 
the  rear  only  when  ordered  to  do  so  by  his  commanding  oflScer.  He  then  assisted  in  the  removal 
of  the  wounded  to  a  dressing  station. 

ROBERGE,  JOSEPH  H.,  Private,  Headquarters  Company,  309th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
Joseph  H.   Roberge,  private.  Headquarters  Company,   309th   Infantry.     For  extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  near  St.  Juvin,  France,  October  18,  1918.    He  displayed  remarkable  courage  in 
laying  and  repairing  a  telephone  line  under  such  intense  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire  that  the 
line  was  ultimately  abandoned.    He  was  later  killed  in  action. 

ROCKWOOD,  RICHARD  B.,  Second  Lieutenant,  310th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  74,  1919. 
Richard  B.  Rockwood,  second  lieutenant,  310th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Thiaucourt,  France,  September  26,  1918.  Intrusted  with  an  important  message  from  the 
brigade  commander  to  an  infantry  unit,  he  fearlessly  crossed  a  shell-swept  area,  delivered  the 
message,  and,  while  returning  with  reply,  was  mortally  wounded  by  a  shell  fragment.  With  great 
effort,  notwithstanding  his  wound,  he  delivered  the  reply  to  the  message  and  fell  unconscious, 
dying  shortly  after.    Next  of  kin,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Rockwood  (mother),  Wurtsboro,  N.  Y. 

ROSENBERGER,  GEORGE  V.,  Private  1st  Class,  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  44,  1919. 
George  V.  Rosenberger,  private  first  class.  Medical  Detachment,  311th  Infantry.  For  extra- 
ordinary heroism  in  action  near  Vieville-en-Haye,  France,  September  25-26,  1918.  Private  Rosen- 
berger, with  another  soldier,  had  advanced  to  an  exposed  position,  and  then  were  administering 
first  aid  to  a  wounded  man,  when  suddenly  surrounded  and  captured  by  a  party  of  the  enemy. 
While  being  taken  toward  the  German  lines.  Private  Rosenberger  and  his  companion  attacked  their 
captors  and  succeeded  in  freeing  themselves,  at  the  same  time  capturing  two  Germans,  whom 
they  brought  to  battalion  headquarters,  together  with  the  wounded  man. 

ROWLEY,  JOSEPH  C,  Sergeant,  Co.  H,  311th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.  W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Joseph  C.  Rowley,  sergeant.  Company  M,  311th  Infantry.  For  extraordinary  heroism  in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  25,  1918.  Assisting  his  company  commander  in  organizing 
positions  and  liaison,  he  showed  great  bravery  and  devotion  to  duty.  Although  wounded  in  the 
first  combat  with  the  enemy,  he  continued  with  his  work,  declining  to  be  evacuated.  While  patroll- 
ling  between  outposts  he  was  killed. 

RISCHMANN,  EDWARD,  Private,  312th  Infantry. 

Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  37,  1919. 
Edward  Rischmann,  private.  Company  I,  312th  Infantry.    For  extraordinary  heroism  in  action 
near  Grandpre,  France,  October  23,  1918.    He  was  a  member  of  an  assaulting  party  which  stormed 
and  captured  the  citadel  at  Grandpre.    He  scaled  the  wall  and  alone  entered  a  dugout,  from  which 
he  captured  45  Germans,  guarding  them  until  assistance  arrived. 


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Winners  of  Decorations  221 

SANTARSIERO,  GUISEPPE,  Private,  Co.  M,  311th  Infantry. 
Awarded  D.  S.  C.     W.  D.-G.  O.  No.  35,  1919. 
Guiseppe  Santarsiero,  private.  Company  M,  311th  Infantry.     For  extraordinary  heroism    in 
action  near  Grandpre,  France,  October  26,  1918.    He  rushed  ahead  of  his  compnny,   single-handed, 
flanked  a  machine-gun  nest,  which  was  causing  losses  to  his  company,  killing  the  gunners 


HONOR  ROLL 


OFFICERS 


Key — K,  Killed  in  Action;  W,  Died^of  wounds;  A.D.,  Death  by  Accident;  D,  Disease. 


Name. 
Bachman,  John  A. 
Beale,  Walker  B. 
Bull,  Clarence  J. 
Busey,  C.  B. 
Collins,  Orlando  B.,  Jr. 
Connolly,  Daniel  M. 
Dedbrer,  Elsworth 
DiMiCK,  Karl  E. 
Donohue,  Walter  E. 
DooLiTTLE,  Gilbert 
Dudenhoefer,  Joseph  E. 
Gibbons,  Edward 
GiBBS,  Harold  A. 
Groesbeck,  Herbert,  Jr. 
Hagar,  Luther  A. 
Hughes,    Clifford  E. 
Jones,  Walter  S. 
Kearney,    Paul  T. 
King,  Emil 
Knapp,  James  C. 
Kreamer,  Wilbur  C. 
KuMMER,  Harry  H. 
Lahey,  William  S. 
Markwick,  Robert  W. 
Newell,  James  McC. 
O'Brien,  Donat  G. 
O'Connor,  Edward  F. 
Phelps,  John  C. 
Platt,  Lawrence  H. 
Riheldaffer,  William  A. 
Rockwood,  Richard  H. 
Ross,  Harold  G. 
Schuyler,  Ray  A. 
Scruggs,  S.  J. 
Sherwood,  Robert  A. 
Vail,  Herrman  H. 
White,  W.  March. 


Rank.  Organization. 

2nd  Lt.  A-Sdsth  M.  G.  Bn. 

Capt.  I-310th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  H— 309th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  Div.  Hq. 

1st  Lt.  L— 309th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  A-312th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  E-311th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  F-309th  Infantry 

Capt.  K-310th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  B- 303rd  Engineers 

Capt.  MD -309th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  A-311th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  B-311th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  A-309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

Capt.  3-303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

Capt.  HQ-312th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  G-312th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  M.  G.-  311th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  M.  C.-310th  F.  H. 

1st  Lt.  D-312th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  Vet.  Det.,  307th  F.  A. 

2nd  Lt.  M-309th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  B-311th  Infantry 

Capt.  L-3 11th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  G-311th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  C-312th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  A-310th  Infantry 

Capt.  A- 309th  Infantry 

Capt.  E-309th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  HQ-155th  Inf.  Brig. 

2nd  Lt.  HQ-310th  Infantry 

Capt.  M.  G.- 309th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  B-311th  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  C-310th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  M.  D.-310th  Infantry 

Capt.  M-312th  Infantry 

1st  Lt.  M.  C.-312th  Infantry 


Date  of  Death   Key. 

10/26/18 

K. 

9/18/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/27/18 

K. 

9/18/18  (?) 

W. 

11/  1/18  (?) 

W. 

10/25/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  4/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/  1/18 

D. 

10/24/18 

W. 

9/26/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

9/12/18 

A.  D 

10/24/18 

K. 

2/26/19 

D. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/31/18 

W. 

10/25/18 

K. 

10/19/18 

K. 

9/21/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/21/18 

W. 

9/28/18 

W. 

9/17/18 

K. 

9/28/18 

K. 

10/21/18 

W. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

11/  3/18 

K. 

ENLISTED  MEN 


Name 

Rank 

Organization 

Date  of  Death 

Key 

Alberts,  Clarence  J. 

P. 

MG-309th  Inf. 

11/18/18 

W. 

Alvater,  Clayton  C. 

P. 

MG-    « 

a 

9/23/18 

K. 

Amey,  Earl  B. 

P. 

E     -    " 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Anderson,  Vern  A. 

P.IC. 

C     -    " 

u 

9/30/18 

A.D. 

Apicella,  Carmine 

P. 

F     -   « 

u 

9/18/18 

A.D. 

Appelen,  Ernest 

P. 

B     -    " 

« 

10/19/18 

K. 

Arnold,  Alfred  L. 

1st  Sgt. 

K    -   « 

u 

9/25/18 

K. 

Bagg,  Burton  D. 

P. 

A     -309th  Inf. 

10/10/18 

K. 

Bakas,  Kostas 

PIC. 

H    -    " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Barry,  Bernard  B. 

p. 

E    -    " 

« 

10/17/18 

K. 

Bauer,  Edwin  H. 

Sgt. 

D    -   " 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Berman,  Benjamin 

P.IC. 

D    -    " 

a 

10/  4/18 

W. 

Binder,  Edward 

p. 

L     -    " 

a 

10/16/18 

K. 

Blase,  Louis 

B.S.M. 

HQ-    " 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Bombard,  Leander  A. 

P. 

B    -   « 

■u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Bonadies,  Nick 

P. 

L     -   " 

« 

10/17/18 

W. 

Honor  Roll 

22 

Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

BousQUET,  Alfred  H. 

P. 

MG- 309th  Inf. 

9/17/18 

K. 

Breen,  Fred  J. 

P. 

M   - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Bkennan,  Thomas 

P. 

H    - 

u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

Brennan,  William  F. 

P. 

L     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Brewer,  Clinton  D. 

P. 

G    - 

a 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Brink,  Frank  H. 

P.IC. 

M   - 

a 

li 

9/17/18 

K. 

Briody,  Cornelius  J. 

P. 

I      - 

u 

a 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Broderick,  John  J. 

P. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Brophy,  Richard  V. 

Cpl. 

MG- 

u 

u 

9/23/18 

K. 

Brown,  Walter 

p. 

I     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Brunell,  Alba  F. 

p. 

B    - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Bruno,  Concezio 

Cpl. 

M   - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

BuA,  Nicola 

p. 

M   - 

a 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Buchner,  Andrew  V 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Burdick,  Glen  L. 

Sgt. 

M   - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

W. 

Butler,  John  A. 

p. 

M   - 

a 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Cadmus,  Theodore 

P.IC. 

I      -309th  Inf. 

10/16/18 

K. 

Caouette,  George 

p. 

G    - 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Caporusso,  Luigi 

p. 

H    - 

u 

u 

10/17/18 

W. 

Carpenter,  Samuel  A. 

Cpl. 

E     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Carr,  Frank  P. 

p. 

E     - 

u 

u 

10/  2/18 

K. 

Carra,  John 

P.IC. 

C     - 

u 

u 

10/  3/18 

W. 

Carriera,  Ralph 

p. 

E     - 

u 

a 

10/17/18 

W. 

Carter,  Austin  P. 

P. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Catane,  Marc 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Cayton,  Leo 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Cerino,  William  V. 

Cpl. 

H    - 

u 

u 

11/  3/18 

K. 

Chandler,  Joel  L. 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Chialias,  Louis 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

CissEo,  Joseph 

p. 

I     - 

u 

a 

10/16/18 

K. 

Claessens,  Charles 

P.IC. 

B    - 

u 

u 

10/18/18 

W. 

Clancy,  Howard 

Cpl. 

C     - 

u 

u 

10/19/18 

W. 

Clay,  Arthur  R. 

Sgt. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Cline,  Raymond 

P.IC. 

E    - 

u 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Clynes,  John  J. 

P.IC. 

I      - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Coda,  Oreste 

p. 

I     - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Collins.  John  I. 

P.IC. 

A    - 

li 

K 

10/20/18 

K. 

Comas,  Kostas 

p. 

A     - 

u 

U 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Comer,  John 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

9/27/18 

K. 

Condon,  Timothy 

P.IC. 

M   - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

CoNLEY,  David  J. 

Cpl. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

CoNNERS,  Joseph 

Cpl. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Connolly,  Patrick  A. 

p. 

D    - 

u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Connors,  Timothy  K. 

p. 

C     - 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Copperstein,  Harry 

p. 

C     - 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Coscio,  LODOVOCO 

p. 

I      - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Costanzi,  Angelo 

Bgler 

K    - 

u 

u 

10/  4/18 

K. 

CouGHLiN.  Edward  A. 

P. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Cowell,  William 

P. 

HQ- 

u 

a 

9/17/18 

K. 

Crosby,  John  J. 

P. 

K    - 

u 

a 

10/16/18 

K. 

CUOZZO,    GuiSEPPE 

P. 

L     - 

u 

u 

9/20/18 

K. 

CuRRiE,  Arthur  W. 

P. 

I     - 

u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Danielson,  Daniel 

P. 

L    -; 

J09th  Inf. 

10/16/18 

W. 

Dawson,  George  A. 

P. 

E     - 

a 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Dawson,  John  J. 

Hr.Shr. 

HQ- 

a 

u 

10/  4/18 

W. 

Derby,  Samuel  L. 

Cpl. 

E    - 

a 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

D'EsposiTo,  Aniello 

P. 

K    - 

u 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Di  Gregario,  Luigi 

P. 

A     - 

a 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

DiSIMORNE,    FiORDINANDO 

P. 

B    - 

u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

DoLAN,  Bernard  L. 

Cpl. 

I     - 

ti 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

DoLAN,  Hugh  F. 

P. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

DoMENicK,  Louis 

Cpl. 

I      - 

u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Donnelly,  Stephen  E. 

p. 

C     - 

a 

a 

10/  2/18 

K. 

DoNOFRio,  Anthony  N. 

p. 

I     - 

u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

DoNZELLi,  Armando 

P.IC. 

M   - 

u 

u 

10/25/18 

W. 

DucAs,  Bernard  A. 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Eastman,  Wesley  M. 

p. 

M   - 

u 

a 

10/18/18 

K. 

Epstein,  Morris 

p. 

E     - 

u 

a 

10/16/18 

K. 

224 


History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


Name. 

Rank. 

Organizat 

ion. 

Fawcett,  William  D. 

P. 

E 

-309th  Inf. 

FiCKENSCHER,    EdGAR    E. 

Cpl. 

c 

_     u 

a 

Flaherty,  Frank  L. 

P. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Flanagan,  Joseph  P. 

P 

M 

_     u 

u 

Flanders,  Alfred  S. 

P. 

D 

_     u 

u 

Freeman,  Frank 

P. 

E 

_     u 

u 

Freudenberg,  Louis  J. 

P. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Frey,  Frank  W. 

P. 

D 

_     (( 

u 

Front,  Michael 

P. 

G 

_     u 

u 

Giele,  Francis  J. 

P. 

M 

-309th  Inf. 

Gilbridge,  Patrick  L. 

Sgt. 

K 

_    « 

u 

GiLDEA,  Patrick  J. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Gordon,  Edward 

Sgt. 

K 

_    a 

u 

GossLER,  Henry 

p. 

K 

_    u 

u 

GoYER,  Josaphat  0. 

p. 

K 

_     « 

u 

Graves,  Clifford  T. 

p. 

I 

_     (( 

u 

Gregoire,  Arthur 

p. 

K 

_     (( 

u 

Hall,  Arthur  W. 

p. 

L 

-309th  Inf. 

Hand,  Joseph  P. 

Cpl. 

B 

_    « 

u 

Harbolic,  John  J. 

p 

C 

_    « 

u 

Harmer,  George 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Hassotis,  Efthathios 

P.IC. 

G 

_    « 

a 

Hatt,  Fay  E. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Hawk,  Jr.,  George  W. 

P.IC. 

G 

_     u 

u 

Haynie,  Lewis  A. 

— 

HQ 

_     u 

u 

Hebner,  Jay  D. 

p. 

MG-   « 

u 

Heil,  William  J. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Heins,  Herbert  G. 

p. 

MG-   « 

u 

Henighen,  James  B. 

Cpl. 

E 

_    u 

u 

Hens,  Nobert  F. 

Sgt. 

H 

_    u 

u 

Hill,  Charles  H. 

p. 

G 

_    u 

u 

Hobbs,  Herbert  J. 

Sgt. 

K 

_    a 

u 

Hocking,  William  J. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

Hooper,  Dob  S. 

p. 

K 

_    u 

a 

Horbacz,  Bronislaw 

p. 

L 

_     u 

u 

Hotalen,  Peter  S. 

p. 

B 

_     u 

a 

Houle,  Napoleon 

P.IC. 

B 

_     u 

u 

Hummer,  Frank 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

Jackacki,  Edward 

p. 

I 

-309th  Inf. 

Janes,  Johazel 

p. 

B 

_     u 

u 

Jollett,  Edmond  p. 

p. 

E 

_    « 

u 

Kane,  Thomas  J. 

p. 

I 

-309th  Inf. 

Karg,  Howard  M. 

Sgt. 

A 

-    " 

u 

Kelash,  Frank 

P.IC. 

C 

_    u 

a 

Kelly,  Edward  J. 

Sgt. 

L 

_     a 

u 

Kelsey,  Ralph  H. 

p. 

MG 

\-     " 

u 

King,  Charles  N. 

p. 

L 

_     « 

u 

Klatzkin,  Arthur  A. 

p. 

M 

_     a 

« 

Klein,  Charles  J. 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Kline,  Harry  L. 

p. 

HQ 

_     a 

u 

KosLAP.  John  G. 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

KUCHENBIESSER,    WiLLIAM 

p. 

L 

_     u 

u 

Kushnekti,  Otto 

p. 

E 

_     u 

u 

L'Abbate,  Vitantonio 

p. 

I 

-309th  Inf. 

Lacklin,  Jesse  B. 

Sgt. 

E 

_    (( 

u 

Lambert,  Charles  E. 

Sgt. 

E 

_     u 

« 

Lanighan,  Matthew  S. 

Sgt. 

I 

_    u 

u 

Lavalier,  William  J. 

p. 

H 

_     « 

u 

Leak,  Clarence  E. 

p. 

B 

_    « 

« 

Levers,  Fied  J. 

p. 

E 

_    u 

u 

LiTTELL,  Martin  W. 

Sgt. 

H 

_     u 

« 

Long,  Gustav  W. 

Sgt. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Looker,  Horace  R. 

p. 

MG 

,-  " 

u 

Lucas,  Edward  A. 

p. 

F 

_     u 

u 

Luce,  David  V. 

p. 

E 

_    u 

u 

Lundstrom,  Charlie 

p. 

E 

_     a 

u 

Lynch,  Joseph  A. 

p. 

L 

_    u 

u 

McKiNNEY,  Ansel  G. 

P.IC. 

F 

-309th  Inf. 

McMeekan,  Arthur  W. 

p. 

G 

_    « 

« 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

9/23/18 

W. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

8/22/18 

AD 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/28/18 

K. 

9/30/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

1/  3/19 

S.W. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/19/18 

W. 

9/18/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

9/18/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

W. 

9/24/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

7/24/18 

AD. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

K. 

11/  5/18 

K. 

9/24/18 

W. 

9/28/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  5/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

L. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

9/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

9/28/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

11/  3/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/18/18 

K. 

Name. 
Manmiller,  Frank  G. 
Marston,  Jesse  H. 
Marona,  George 
Martini,  Antonio 
Mazzocca,  Joseph 
Melhus,  Peter  M. 
Meskill,  Daniel  J. 
Metzger,  George  H. 
Miller,  JohxV  B. 
MoBERG,  Charles  H. 
MoELLER,  Benjamin 
Mokelke,  Frank  R. 

MONTMINY,   VaLERE 

Morris,  Raymond  T. 
Morrison,  George  H. 
Mount,  Harry  B. 
Murray,  John  D. 
Murray,  John  T. 
Myers,  Edward  J. 
Nagy,  Ali 
Naudin,  Charles 
Naiztto,  Philip 
Nelson,  Arthur 
Nixon,  George  P. 
Oakley,  John  R. 
O'Neill,  Robert 
Orbaker,  Kenneth  K. 
Osapio,  Giovanni 
OsBERG,  Gust.  A. 
Pancoast,  Charles  F.,  Jr. 
Patalano,  Vincent 
Patrick,  Stephen 
Pearson,  Elmer  W. 
Peltz,  Leo  C. 
Perrotti,  Annibale 
Peskin,  William 
Petroccaro,  Angello 
Phillips,  Walter  J. 
Pierce,  Louis  A. 
Pierson,  Benjamin  H. 
Pihlman,  Fred  R. 
Piper,  Orrin  B. 
Plyler,  George  E. 
Provost,  Andrew  J. 
Ramagnano,  John  A. 
Raspas,  Merle  W. 
Renehan,  Michael  G. 
Rentsch,  George  P. 
Riedel,  Chris. 
RoBERGE,  Joseph  H. 
RoDGERS,  Cornelius  J. 
RoDOLFA,  Antonio 
Rogers,  John  W. 
Romas,  Chrst  A. 
RooNEY,  Alfred  B. 
Saunders,  John 
Scamantzalis,  John 
Schaffer,  Charles  S. 
Schelhorn,  John 
Schlagenhaft,  James  J. 
ScHucKER,  William 
Sebesta,  James  J. 


Seifert,  Oswald 
Senson,  William 
Shavlik,  John 
Shoben,  Israel 
Shickwa,  John 
Sikora,  Joseph 


'"V 


.-^ 


Honor  Roll 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Sgt. 

D  -309th  Inf. 

P. 

L  - 

u            u 

p. 

E  - 

u            a 

P. 

I  - 

u            u 

p. 

M  - 

u           u 

p. 

MG- 

u            a 

p. 

MD- 

u            u 

Cpl. 

M  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

I  - 

u            u 

Cpl. 

M  - 

u            u 

p. 

G  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

MG- 

u            u 

p. 

G  - 

u             u 

p. 

G  - 

u            u 

Cpl. 

E  - 

u             u 

Cpl. 

I  - 

u            u 

p. 

E  - 

u            u 

p. 

D  - 

u           u 

p. 

G  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

F  -'.. 

J09th  Inf. 

p. 

I   - 

■u            u 

p. 

B  - 

u           u 

Sgt. 

G  - 

u            u 

Cpl. 

G     - 

u           u 

P.IC. 

B  -309th  Inf. 

Sgt. 

M  - 

u             « 

P.IC. 

HQ- 

u            a 

p. 

L  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

D  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

M  -309th  Inf. 

p. 

L  - 

u            u 

Cpl. 

L  - 

a            u 

P.IC. 

L  - 

u               it 

P.IC. 

I  - 

u            u 

P. 

G  - 

u             u 

P.l.C 

E  - 

u             u 

p. 

L  - 

u            u 

Cpl. 

E  - 

tt     a 

p. 

C  - 

u            u 

p. 

G  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

M  - 

u            u 

p. 

G  - 

u            « 

Cpl. 

K  - 

u            a 

Cpl. 

G  - 

u            u 

p. 

G  -: 

B09th  Inf. 

Cpl. 

H  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

L  - 

u              « 

Cpl. 

F  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

A  - 

u            u 

p. 

HQ- 

u           u 

1st  Sgt. 

K  - 

u            u 

p. 

HQ- 

u            u 

p. 

L  - 

u            u 

p. 

F  - 

u            a 

Cpl. 

L  - 

u            u 

Cpl. 

D  -: 

309th  Inf. 

P.IC. 

I   - 

u     u 

p. 

MD- 

u            u 

p. 

MG- 

u             u 

Cpl. 

D  - 

u           u 

p. 

MG- 

a            u 

Cpl. 

C  - 

u            u 

P.IC. 

F  - 

u            u 

p. 

I  - 

u            u 

p. 

A  - 

u           u 

Cpl. 

D  - 

u            u 

p. 

I  - 

U                 It 

p. 

L  - 

ti              u 

225 


Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

10/19/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

W. 

9/18/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

W. 

9/25/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/12/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/18/18 

K. 

10/  2/18 

K. 

9/27/18 

K. 

10/  2/18 

K. 

9/28/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/19/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/29/18 

K. 

10/19/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K- 

10/19/18 

K 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  7/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

9/20/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

W. 

10/18/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

11/  6/18 

W. 

10/18/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/28/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

10/31/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

9/27/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/25/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

K. 

•   10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

226 


History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

SiLBETOVITCH,    ToNT 

P. 

I 

-309th  Inf. 

Silverman,  Samuel 

P. 

K 

u 

SiMPiANCO,  Antonio 

P.IC. 

E 

_     u 

u 

Sinclair,  Gordon  W. 

P.IC. 

G 

_     u 

« 

Slay,  Auburn  T. 

Cpl. 

MG-    " 

u 

Smith,  Bruno  T. 

p. 

I 

_     « 

u 

Smith,  Harry  B. 

p. 

MG-    " 

u 

Smith,  William  Q. 

Cpl. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Smolik,  John 

Sgt. 

C 

_     u 

u 

Sobota,  Paul 

Mess  Sgt. 

L 

_     « 

a 

SOMERVILLE,    HoWARD    D. 

Mech. 

E 

_     u 

a 

Spaulding,  Leonard  T. 

p. 

E 

_     u 

u 

Spinner,  Charles  A.  B. 

P. 

M 

-   « 

u 

Staebell,  William  J. 

Mech. 

M 

_     u 

u 

St.  Hilaire,  Emile. 

P. 

H 

_     u 

u 

Stokes.  Alfred  H.,  Jr. 

Sgt. 

L 

a 

u 

Stone,  John  E. 

P.IC. 

E 

_     u 

u 

Sutter,  Herman  A. 

Cpl. 

F 

_     u 

u 

Swain,  William  H. 

P.IC. 

I 

-    " 

u 

Sw ANSON,  Oscar  W. 

Sgt. 

MG-   " 

i( 

SWENARTON,    FrANK    B. 

p. 

L 

_      u 

u 

Swenson,  Peter 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

SwiK,  Franciszek 

p. 

I 

_     » 

u 

SzuLczEwsKi,  Stanley 

p. 

M 

_     « 

u 

Tangen,  Ole  a. 

P.IC. 

L 

-309th  Inf. 

Tanis,  Jacob 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Tauriello,  William 

p. 

M 

_      u 

« 

Thompson,  Albert  C. 

P.IC. 

D 

_     « 

u 

Thompson,  Charles 

p. 

C 

_     « 

u 

TicE,  Leva  A. 

P.IC. 

G 

« 

u 

Tillman,  Laverne  L. 

Sgt. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Tomlinson,  William  W. 

Cpl. 

I 

_     u 

a 

Tribastone,  Salvatore 

p. 

F 

_     a 

u 

Trotta,  Gestano 

P. 

H 

_     u 

u 

Ulozas,  William 

p. 

E 

-309th  Inf. 

Umikwe,  William  J. 

Sgt. 

G 

_    « 

u 

Valley,  Samuel 

p. 

L 

-309th  Inf. 

Van  Volkenburgh,  Charles  E. 

P.IC. 

D 

_    « 

u 

Vento,  Dominico 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

VosKUYL,  George  C. 

p. 

L 

_     « 

u 

Wagner,  Frederick  W. 

Mech. 

M 

-309th  Inf. 

Wallace,  John  L. 

P. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Walton,  Raymond  E. 

P. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Weese,  Guy  C. 

P. 

A 

-    " 

u 

White,  Walter  D. 

P. 

B 

-   " 

u 

WiECZENSKi,  William 

P. 

I 

_     u 

u 

Willis,  Clarence  A. 

P. 

A 

_     u 

u 

WiNGERT,  George  I. 

P. 

G 

_     u 

u 

WoHLKEN,  Norman  W. 

P.IC. 

C 

_     u 

u 

WOJTYTA,    WOJCIECH 

Cpl. 

I 

_     u 

u 

Wolf,  Lawrence  A. 

Cpl. 

L 

_     u 

u 

WoLTER,  George  W. 

P.IC. 

G 

_     u 

u 

WORTHINGTON,    ROBINSON    M. 

P.IC. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Youngberg,  Henry  W. 

p. 

M 

-309th  Inf. 

ZiEHL,  George 

1st  Sgt. 

I 

-309th  Inf. 

ZuBER,  Joseph  J. 

P.IC. 

A 

_     u 

u 

Agresta,  Raffaele 

P.IC. 

B 

-310th  Inf. 

Albanese,  Pasquale 

p. 

D 

_    « 

u 

Albebtson,  Carl  0. 

P. 

M 

_    11 

u 

Alger,  Earl  R. 

Cpl. 

B 

_    « 

u 

Allen,  Carl  W. 

Sgt. 

A 

_    « 

u 

Arena  Francesco 

p. 

I 

_    « 

u 

AuBiN,  Frank 

p. 

G 

_    « 

u 

AuRELius,  James  H. 

P.IC. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Bag  ALIO,  Rocco 

p. 

M 

-310th  Inf. 

Bailey,  Martin  J. 

P.IC. 

G 

_     u 

a 

Balek,  William 

p. 

L 

_     u 

u 

Ball,  George  R. 

p. 

G 

_     « 

« 

Barbarito,  Anthony 

p. 

L 

_    u 

u 

*ate  of  Death. 

Key. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

K. 

9/28/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

9/17/17 

K. 

9/16/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

9/20/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/  4/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/19/19 

K. 

10/19/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

W. 

9/18/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

W. 

10/  3/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/10/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

9/24/18 

K 

9/25/18 

K. 

9/23/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

W. 

9/25/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

9/27/18 

K. 

11/  5/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/29/18 

W. 

9/20/18 

K. 

9/23/18 

W. 

Name. 
Bassett,  Ralph  F. 
Bavia,  Salvatore 
Baxter,  Floyd  L. 
Bechtold,  Elmer  G. 
Becker,  Fred  A. 
Bedard,  Ovila 
Belvito,  Giovanni 
Bergman,  Abraham 
Berkoff,  Jacob 
BiONDi,  Thomas 
Bires,  Joseph 
Boettner,  Walter  H. 
Both,  Emu, 
Bowman,  Edward 
Briggs,  Roy  A. 
Brightman,  Robert  L. 
Brophey,  Henry  E. 
Brown,  Harry  L. 
Brownleb,  Joseph 
Bush,  John  J. 
Butler,  Edward  L. 
Byers,  Roy  F. 
Cadden,  Joseph  F. 
Campbell,  Theodore  H.,  Jr. 
Canosa  ,Antonio 
Cappelletto,  Nazzareno 
Carnevale,  Tony 
Carsini,  Henry 
Cavaliere,  Carmine 
Cervoni,  Gaetano 
Champion,  Henry  J. 
Chapin,  Bert 

ClAVOLELLA,    EmILIO 

CiFu,  John 

CiVITELLA,   ViNCENSO 

Clarke,  James 
Cleary,  John  V. 
Cleiman,  Jack 
Cogswell,  Walter  L. 
Cohen,  Joseph  L. 
CoHENDET,  Louis  C. 
Cole,  Fred  C. 
CoNFORTi,  Edward 
Cooke,  Joseph  J. 
Costa,  Giuseppe 
Couture,  Israel 
Crandall,  Elmer  E. 
Crego,  Fred  J. 
Crisp,  Arthur 
Crosley,  Ernest  W. 
Cross,  Harley  D. 
Crystal,  Morris 
CuRRAN,  Thomas 
Dahm,  John  M. 
Dantuono,  Luigi 
DeCarlo,  Antonio  D. 
DeMatti,  Nicholas 
DiAmico,  Allessandro 
Dickson,  John  A. 

DiMlCHELE,    RuGGIERO 

DiRaimo,  John 
DiViesti,  Pasquale 
Dixon,  Arthur  S. 

DOBROWOLSKI,    StANISLAW 

Donato,  James 
DoRWARD,  Thomas  O. 
Doughty,  Christopher 
DowD,  Charles  A. 
Dkiscoll,  Mort. 


Honor  Roll 

r 

2S 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key 

Cpl. 

A  -. 

310th  Inf. 

9/21/18 

K. 

P. 

I  - 

u             u 

10/29/19 

K. 

Cpl. 

A  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

P. 

A  - 

u            u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

A  - 

u             u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

A  - 

u            u 

11/23/18 

W. 

p. 

I  - 

u            u 

10/29/18 

K. 

p. 

B  - 

u            u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

p. 

K  - 

u            u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

D  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

I  - 

u            u 

10/16/18 

K 

p. 

B  - 

u             a 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

D  - 

«     u 

9/21/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

B  - 

u            u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

I  - 

u            u 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

M  - 

li              u 

9/21/18 

K. 

Mech. 

G  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

W. 

P. 

M  - 

U                 (I 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Cpl. 

M  - 

u            u 

9/21/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

F  - 

u             u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

MG- 

u             u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

p. 

M  - 

u             u 

10/15/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

I  -; 

JlOth  Inf. 

10/16/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M  - 

«     u 

10/23/18 

W. 

p. 

L  - 

u            u 

10/29/18 

K. 

p. 

I  - 

u            u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

C  - 

u            u 

10/21/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

D  - 

u            u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

C  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

I  - 

u            u 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

SD  - 

u            u 

8/24/18 

K. 

p. 

I  - 

u            u 

11/  5/18 

K. 

p. 

G  - 

u            a 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

u            u 

10/17/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ- 

(1              u 

10/27/18 

W. 

Cpl. 

D  - 

u            u 

9/18/18 

K. 

p. 

D  - 

tl              u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

B  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

D  - 

_     u 

10/  2/18 

K. 

p. 

B  - 

u           u 

9/30/18 

K. 

p. 

MG- 

u             u 

9/16/18 

K. 

p. 

D  - 

u            u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

I  - 

U                  H 

9/17/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

HQ- 

u            u 

9/17/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ- 

u            u 

10/26/18 

K. 

p. 

I   - 

u            u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

K  - 

u            u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

E 

u            u 

10/22/18 

K. 

p. 

C  - 

u            « 

9/20/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

M  - 

((      u 

9/22/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

A  - 

u            u 

9/26/18 

W. 

p. 

B  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

G  - 

u            u 

9/20/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

D  -t 

JlOth  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

M  - 

u            u 

10/17/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

L  - 

U                  li 

9/16/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

K  - 

u            u 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

G  - 

U                 (( 

9/19/18 

K. 

p. 

MG- 

u             a 

11/  6/18 

W. 

p. 

B  - 

a            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

H  - 

u            u 

9/18/18 

K. 

p. 

C  - 

u            u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

F  - 

u            u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

C  - 

u            u 

10/17/18 

W. 

p. 

G  - 

U                 li 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

I  - 

11              u 

9/26/18 

W. 

Cpl. 

L  - 

u            a 

9/18/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M  - 

li            a 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

D  - 

u           u 

10/20/18 

K. 

228 


History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


Name. 
DuGGAN,  John 
DuLTz,  Lor  IS 
Dunn,  Ira  C. 
Earl,  John  Y. 
Efros,  Sam 
Fanello,  Nicola 
Farley,  Henry  W. 
Fay,  Philip  J. 
Ferrarese,  John 
Fessenden,  Fay  F. 
FiTZGiBBON,  Michael 
Flanagan,  John  G. 
Foley,  John. A. 
Franchi,  Eugene  A. 
Francis,  Wesley 
Frazzoli,  Rocco 
Fronczak,  Frank 
Germond,  Alfred  T. 

GlQUERE,   DONAT  J. 

Giosi,  Antonio 
Goodman,  Louis 
Gorczynski,  John 
Grella,  Angelo 
Grover,  Walter 
Gryp,  Andre 
Gudinas.  John 
Gugleman,  Frederick  J. 
GuRGEL,  William  C. 
Hadley,  Lloyd 
Haley,  Michael  J. 
Halladay,  Henry  F. 
Harrigan,  Lawrence 
Hartnett,  William  E. 
Harz,  John  A. 
Hassanpratz,  William,  Jr. 
Helmuth,  FFrederick  P. 
Herbert,  William 
Hermanson,  Herman  I. 
Hery,  Edward  C. 
Hill,  Robert  M. 
Hinkley,  Joseph 
Hirshfeld  Louis  I. 
Hitchcock,  Craig  W. 
Hockey,  Ralph  W. 
Hopkins,  Harvey 
HoRswELL,  Raymond  A. 
HouRiHAN,  John  K. 
Houston,  Sheldon  C. 
Humiston,  Andrew  E. 
Jagnow,  William  F. 
Johnson,  David  L. 
Johnson,  Hilding  G. 
Johnson,  John  E. 
Johnston,  Harold  F. 
Kammerer,  Otto 
Kanka,  Joseph 
Karkut,  Emil 
Kaslowitz,  Harry 
Kavanagh,  Thomas  J. 
Kearns,  Martin  F. 
Keller,  John 
Kellogg.  Clark  M. 
Kelly  ,Edward  M. 
Kennedy,  Joseph  B. 
Klindt,  Julius 
Klippert,  Ronald  A. 
Kloepping,  Alfred  J. 

KOHLMETZ,    BURRELL   R. 


Bank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

P.IC. 

A  -310th  Inf. 

10/22/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

G  -  " 

« 

9/28/18 

W. 

P. 

L  -  " 

u 

10/15/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M  -310th  Inf 

9/30/18 

K. 

p. 

I   -  " 

« 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

E  -310th  Inf. 

9/17/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

K  -  " 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

A  -  « 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

L  -  " 

u 

9/19/19 

K. 

Cpl. 

M  -  " 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

C  -  " 

u 

9/19/18 

K. 

p. 

M  -  " 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

L  -  " 

u 

11/  5/18 

W. 

p. 

C  -  « 

u 

10/17/18 

W. 

p. 

HQ-  « 

u 

11/  2/18 

K 

p. 

A  -  " 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

M  -  " 

« 

10/17/18 

K. 

p. 

H  -310th  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M  -  " 

a 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

I  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

M  -  " 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

p. 

E  -  « 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

D  -  " 

a 

11/  1/18  {?) 

W. 

P.IC. 

L  -  " 

" 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

C  -  " 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

L  -  " 

u 

10/15/18 

K. 

p. 

MG-  « 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

p. 

H  -  " 

« 

9/28/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

D  -310th  Inf. 

9/30/18 

K. 

p. 

E  -  « 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

A  -  " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

p. 

K  -  " 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

HQ-  " 

u 

9/16/18 

K. 

p. 

MG-  " 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M  -  " 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

C  -  " 

u 

9/22/18 

W. 

Cpl. 

H  -  " 

u 

11/  3/18 

K. 

p. 

M  -  " 

It 

10/22/18 

W. 

p. 

M  -  " 

u 

9/21/18 

K. 

p. 

B  -  " 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

L  -  " 

u 

9/27/18 

W. 

p. 

D  -  " 

« 

9/21/18 

K. 

p. 

B  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

L  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

L  -  " 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

B  -  " 

u 

9/27/18 

K. 

p. 

L  -  " 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

H  -  " 

u 

11/  3/18 

K. 

Mech. 

I  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

C  -310th  Inf. 

9/22/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

B  -  « 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

I  -  « 

u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

p. 

L  -  " 

u 

9/16/18 

K. 

p. 

B  -  " 

u 

9/18/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

F  -310th  Inf. 

9/18/18 

K. 

p. 

K  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

K  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

D  -  " 

u 

9/21/18 

K 

Cpl. 

I   -  « 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

F  -  « 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

M  -  " 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Bglr. 

K  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

HQ-  « 

« 

9/21/18 

K. 

P. 

D  -  " 

a 

10/20/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

I  -  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

A  -  " 

u 

9/30/18 

K. 

p. 

A  -  " 

u 

9/25/18 

K. 

p. 

H  -  " 

u 

10/28/18 

W. 

Name. 
Kraku,  John  H. 
Krebs,  Charles  W. 
Krinskey,  Alex. 
Kruse,  Frank  G. 
Kuenzel,  Walter  W. 
Laemmel,  Michael  P. 
LaForge,  Thad  H. 
Landon,  Richard  G. 
Lang,  George 
Lariviere,  Lucien 
LaRoche,  Wilfred 
Larson,  Norman 
Lefebvre,  Eugene  T. 
Lehnen,  John  H. 
Leibold,  Owen 
Lepper,  William  H.,  Jr. 
Lepple,  William  C. 
Lesnoy,  Joseph 
Levandoske,  Frank  J. 
Lewis.  John 
Livingston,  John  R. 
Loeffler,  Joseph  J. 
LooKHOFF,  John  H. 
Low,  Clarence  W. 
LuBER,  Michael  J. 
Lundberg,  Rudolph" 
Lynch,  Thomas  J. 
Lyons,  Thomas 
Macecski,  Joseph 
McCooL,  Patrick  J. 
McGovern,  James  J. 
McGuire,  Michael  J. 
McKenna,  Edward  J. 
Maggard,  Henry 
Malatesta,  Galtano 
Mariotte,  Alfred  R. 
Mecchiarelli,  Bernardo 
Megrdichian,  Enovk 
MicELOTTA,  Nicola 
Miller,  Carl  O. 
Miller,  Frederick  S. 
MiNORE,  Joseph 
Molandrino,  Luigi 

MORIETTI,   SaNTI 

MosHiER,  George  W. 
Motl,  Michael  J. 
MuLLER,  Michael 
Mulligan,  George  A. 
MuRiNO,  Andrea  V. 
Murphy,  James  H. 
Murphy,  John 
Nawrocky,  Frank  L. 
NiLES.  Granville  S. 
Norton,  Herbert  B. 
Nugent,  Francis  O. 
O'Connell,  James  W. 
Ottati,  Anello  F. 
Padulo,  Saverio 
Parcells,  Fred  P. 
Pendlebury,  James  B. 
Perone,  Michael 
Petrucci,  Salvatore 
Pohl,  Reinhold  E. 
Pucci,  Andrea 
QuiNN,  Albert  L. 
QuiRi,  Robert 
Rabenstein,  George  H. 
Ransom,  Raymond  R. 


Honor  Roll 

22 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

Cpl. 

G 

-310th  Inf 

10/19/18 

K. 

Mech. 

M 

_  « 

u 

9/30/18 

K. 

P. 

A 

« 

a 

10/  4/18 

K. 

P. 

A 

_  li 

u 

9/25/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

K 

-    " 

u 

10/15/18 

K. 

P. 

A 

-310th  Inf. 

9/25/18 

K. 

P. 

I 

_  u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

I 

_  u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P. 

K 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Bglr. 

I 

_     u 

li 

10/31/18 

K. 

P. 

D 

_  u 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P. 

I 

_  u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

P. 

B 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

W. 

P. 

HQ 

_     u 

u 

9/19/18 

K. 

P. 

L 

_  « 

u 

10/29/18 

K. 

P. 

D 

_  « 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

P. 

I 

_  u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

P. 

D 

_  u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

P. 

G 

_    u 

a 

9/20/18 

K. 

P. 

F 

_  « 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

L 

_  u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

K 

u 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M 

_  u 

u 

9/23/18 

W. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

F 

_     ti 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

H 

_     u 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

p. 

H 

_     u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

K 

-310th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

K 

_  u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

I 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

M 

_  u 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

F 

_  u 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

_     u 

a 

9/17/18 

K. 

p. 

D 

_  u 

ti 

9/21/18  (?) 

W. 

Sgt. 

G 

_     u 

u 

9/19/18  (?) 

W. 

P.IC. 

A 

_     a 

a 

10/18/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

E 

_     u 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

H 

_     u 

u 

11/11/18 

W. 

Cpl. 

K 

_     u 

« 

10/16/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

B 

_  .  « 

« 

11/  5/18 

W. 

p. 

B 

_  a 

it 

9/30/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

1 

_     u 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

F 

_  « 

a 

10/20/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

L 

_  u 

it 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

H 

_  « 

tt 

10/20/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

D 

_  u 

it 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

L 

_     u 

a 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

E 

_  u 

it 

9/17/18 

K. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

G 

_    a 

a 

9/17/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

D 

-310th  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

C 

« 

tt 

11/  4/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

I 

_  u 

a 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

F 

_  u 

« 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

-310th  Inf. 

10/17/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

E 

_  u 

ti 

9/18/18 

K. 

p. 

C 

-310th  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ 

!-  " 

tt 

11/  1/18 

W. 

p. 

M 

_  u 

tt 

9/22/18 

K. 

p. 

D 

_  u 

tt 

9/21/18  (?) 

W. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

tt 

9/18/18 

K. 

p. 

G 

_  (( 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

u 

it 

10/21/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

MG— 310th  Inf. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

F 

_  u 

u 

9/18/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

D 

-310th  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

A 

_  u 

tt 

9/22/18 

K. 

230 


History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

Rappaport,  Abraham 

Cpl. 

I 

-310th  Inf. 

10/16/18 

K. 

Reagan,  Cornelius  R. 

P.IC. 

K 

_    « 

« 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Render,  John  H. 

P.IC. 

G 

_    II 

II 

9/20/18 

K. 

Richardson,  Irving  J, 

Sgt. 

C 

_   II 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

RiEKER,  Charles  L. 

P.IC 

A 

_   « 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Riley,  Frank  L. 

p. 

A 

_    « 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Riley,  Ralph  R. 

Sgt. 

I 

-310th  Inf. 

10/16/18 

K. 

Robertson,  Albert  C. 

p. 

D 

-    " 

a 

11/  5/18 

W. 

Robinson,  George  J. 

p. 

B 

_    « 

11 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Rogers,  Leslie  B. 

P.IC. 

G 

_    « 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

RosELL,  Charles  L. 

p. 

B 

_    « 

11 

7/10/18 

A.D. 

Russo,  Vincent 

p. 

B 

_    « 

i( 

9/27/18 

K. 

Saniter,  Fred  W. 

Cpl. 

D 

-310th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Sarlo,  William 

p. 

C 

_    II 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Schaller,  Theodore  L. 

p. 

E 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Schmitzer,  William  A. 

p. 

H 

_     « 

« 

9/27/18 

K. 

Schroeder,  George  J. 

p. 

D 

_      u. 

« 

10/18/18 

K. 

Senft,  Julius  T. 

p. 

F 

_    (1 

« 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Shager,  Theodore 

Cpl. 

F 

_     « 

u 

10/20/18 

K 

Shanaberg,  Charles  E. 

p. 

G 

_      u 

u 

9/28/18 

K. 

Shapiro,  Herman  A. 

P.IC. 

K 

_     » 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Shapiro,  Max. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Shine,  Alfred  J. 

P.IC. 

E 

_     « 

i( 

10/22/18 

K. 

SiciLiA,  Louis 

p. 

D 

_     (( 

11 

10/20/18 

K. 

Sickenberger,  Frank 

P.IC. 

L 

_     « 

II 

11/  4/18 

W. 

Siegelbaum,  Hyman 

p. 

A 

_     « 

« 

9/30/18 

K. 

Simmons,  Albert  J. 

p. 

D 

_     11 

II 

10/20/18 

K. 

SiMONOviTz,  Alexander 

P.IC. 

K 

_     u 

11 

10/16/18 

K. 

SiNER,  Earl  R. 

P.IC. 

G 

_     u 

« 

9/19/18 

K. 

Skrebtienko,  John 

P.IC. 

L 

_     u 

II 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Smith,  Edward 

p. 

D 

_     « 

u 

10/  2/18 

K. 

Smith,  George  H. 

P.IC. 

H 

_     » 

u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Smith,  Harold  C. 

P.IC. 

M 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Smith,  Henry  P. 

Cpl. 

HQ 

1  -      " 

u 

7/  9/18  (?) 

K. 

Smith,  Walden  F. 

p. 

A 

_     11 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Smith,  Warren  N. 

p. 

K 

_     « 

u 

9/21/18 

K. 

Snell,  Stephen 

P.IC. 

C 

_     « 

11 

10/20/18 

K. 

Snell,  Thomas 

p. 

MG-   " 

(( 

1/31/19 

AD 

Splett,  Bennie 

Cpl. 

B 

_     « 

« 

10/20/18 

K. 

Stadtmiller,  Irving  A. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

<( 

9/24/18 

K. 

Stancarone,  Pasquale 

p. 

D 

_     « 

a 

9/22/18 

K. 

Stevens,  Walter  L. 

p. 

D 

-    " 

« 

11/  5/18 

W. 

Straffi,  Adolfo 

P.IC. 

F 

« 

» 

10/20/18 

K. 

Streimer,  James  R. 

p. 

B 

_     « 

u 

9/26/18 

W. 

SuYDAM,  Charlton  R. 

P.IC. 

H 

_      a 

II 

10/20/18 

K. 

SuzNowsKi,  Alexander 

p. 

I 

« 

II 

11/  1/18 

K. 

SwiTiTSKY,  Abraham 

P.IC. 

K 

_      (1 

II 

9/23/18 

K. 

Taber,  Walter  M. 

Cpl. 

L 

-310th  Inf. 

10/17/18 

K. 

Theis,  Gustave  W. 

P.IC. 

G 

_    » 

u 

10/18/18 

W. 

Thune,  Louis 

Cpl. 

G 

_     u 

« 

9/19/18 

K. 

ToRTi,  Nicola 

p. 

K 

_     « 

« 

9/23/18 

K. 

Tripp,  Albion  R. 

P.IC. 

M 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Truccano,  Joseph 

p. 

F 

_     a 

« 

9/19/18 

K. 

TuNiLO,  Alex. 

p. 

C 

_     « 

« 

10/20/18 

K. 

Tuttle,  Jeptha  J. 

P.IC. 

I 

_     a 

« 

10/  4/18 

K. 

USZENSKI,    StANISLAW 

p. 

K 

-310th  Inf. 

9/26/18 

K. 

Vanderzell,  Michael 

P.IC. 

B 

-310th  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

Van  Fleet,  Paul 

p. 

HQ 

1     _    «" 

Ull 

9/21/18 

K. 

Van  Harren,  Henry  T. 

p. 

L 

_    « 

a 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Walsh,  Albert  J. 

P.IC. 

G 

-310th  Inf. 

9/19/18 

K 

Warner.  Clayton  L. 

P.IC. 

E 

_    « 

u 

10/22/18 

K. 

Weinshutz,  William 

Sgt. 

C 

_     u 

11 

11/  4/18 

K. 

Wetzler,  Irving 

p. 

M 

_     « 

« 

10/17/18 

K. 

White,  Stephen  S. 

p. 

M 

_     « 

« 

9/30/18 

K 

WiENAR,  Benjamin 

P.IC. 

M 

li 

u 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Willard,  William  F. 

Cpl. 

K 

_     « 

(( 

10/22/18 

W 

WiTZEL,    ChRYSTAL 

Cpl. 

B 

-    " 

« 

10/20/18 

K. 

WoEHR,  Otto 

p. 

M 

« 

« 

9/22/18 

K. 

Honor 

Roll 

231 

Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Sate  of  Death. 

Key. 

Wolf,  Alexander  C. 

P.IC. 

E     - 

310th  Inf. 

10/19/18 

K. 

Wolf,  Alfred 

Cpl. 

H    - 

u 

u 

10/19/18 

W. 

Woodruff,  Thomas  H. 

Cpl. 

F    - 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Yahn,  Fred  C. 

p. 

I     - 

310th  Inf. 

9/27/18 

K. 

Yaramchuk,  John 

P.IC. 

H    - 

u 

u 

11/  3/18 

K. 

YouMANS,  Elbert 

P.IC. 

L 

u 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Zimmerman,  Edward  G. 

p. 

A    - 

310th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

ZooK,  Samuel  A. 

p. 

A    - 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Apicelli,  Joseph 

Cpl. 

B    - 

311th  Inf. 

9/26/18 

K. 

Arcuri,  Carmine 

P.IC. 

B     - 

" 

li 

9/26/18 

K. 

AsMAN,  Frederick  G. 

Cpl. 

I      - 

u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Augustine,  Joseph  P. 

Cpl. 

I      - 

u 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

Baldasare,  Silvio 

p. 

G    - 

311th  Inf. 

10/17/18 

K. 

Ball,  Willard  H.,  Jr. 

p. 

E    - 

u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

Barnabei,  Louis 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Barnes,  Joseph  P. 

p. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

Barnhardt,  Edward 

p. 

L     - 

u 

u 

10/28/18 

K. 

Barry,  Edward  W. 

p. 

I 

u 

u 

10/28/18 

K. 

Beck,  Charles  W. 

p. 

L 

u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Beczkowski,  Steve  H. 

Cpl. 

D 

u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Belden,  Samuel  A. 

p. 

H    - 

u 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Berryman,  Roy  B. 

p. 

L     - 

1( 

u 

10/26/18 

W. 

BisMAR,  Vincent  J. 

Cpl. 

D 

u 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Blaszkiewicz,  Leo 

p. 

H 

u 

u 

10/22/18 

K. 

BossERT,  Allen  H. 

Sgt. 

MG 

u 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Bostel,  Frank  L. 

p. 

C 

u 

u 

10/22/18 

K. 

Bradley  Robert  M. 

p 

D 

u 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Bragilio,  Dominico 

p. 

F 

u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

Brenner,  Tsadore 

p. 

L 

u 

a 

10/23/18 

K. 

Broeker,  Ewald,  Jr. 

p. 

HQ 

u 

u 

10/21/18 

K. 

Brounshidle,  Milton  J. 

p. 

M 

u 

u 

9/28/18 

K. 

Buchanan,  David  S. 

p. 

E 

u 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

BuETTNER,  George  H. 

p. 

D 

u 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Buffa,  Joseph 

P.IC. 

M 

u 

u 

11/  6/18 

W. 

BuGMANN,  Daniel  W. 

p. 

G 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Burchell,  Harold  E. 

p. 

B 

« 

u 

11/  4/18 

W. 

Burke,  John  F. 

P.IC. 

B 

« 

u 

9/28/18 

W. 

Burnett,  Albert  M. 

p. 

I 

u 

u 

10/26/18 

W. 

Butler,  William  G. 

P.IC. 

B 

u 

u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

Cahill,  James  E. 

p. 

B 

-311th  Inf. 

9/26/18 

K. 

Cali,  Manfredo 

p. 

E 

(1 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Campiono,  Francisco 

p. 

C    - 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Cantu,  Peter  E. 

p. 

B 

u 

« 

11/  4/18 

K. 

Carroll,  Vincent  0. 

p. 

L     - 

u 

« 

10/26/18 

K. 

Chapman,  Harry  J. 

P.IC. 

MG 

u 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Chase,  George  H. 

PIC. 

I 

u 

a 

10/25/18 

K. 

Christensen,  Marinus  C. 

p. 

MG 

u 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Christiansen,  James 

Cpl. 

D 

u. 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

Clark,  Salter  S.,  Jr. 

P.IC. 

A 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K 

COLAPICCHIONI,    RaFFAELE 

p. 

H 

u 

u 

11/  1/18  (?) 

K 

Cole,  H.  L. 

p. 

B 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Conk,  Joseph  M. 

P.IC. 

MD 

_    u 

u 

9/29/18 

K. 

CoNLiN,  James  R. 

p. 

MG 

u 

u 

10/  3/18 

K 

Connelly,  William  J. 

p. 

A 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Connolly,  Harry  J. 

p. 

E 

_    u 

u 

9/22/18 

K. 

Conway,  Michael  F. 

Cpl. 

G 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Couch,  Marshall  A. 

P.IC. 

A 

u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Crandall,  Jerry 

p. 

L 

u 

u 

10/23/18 

K. 

CzESNULEwicz,  John 

p. 

H 

ti 

u 

11/  1/18 

AD 

Dakin,  Richard  E. 

p. 

MD 

-311th  Inf. 

10/28/18 

K. 

Damiano,  Sam. 

p. 

A 

(( 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Davies,  David  E. 

p. 

D 

u 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Deleski,  Stanley 

PLC. 

B    - 

u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

Dermody,  Edward  F. 

p. 

A 

u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Dexter,  William  C. 

p. 

F     - 

u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

DiBenedette,  Donato 

p. 

A 

u 

« 

9/24/18 

K. 

Didley,  Anthony 

Sgt. 

HQ 

u 

« 

10/30/18 

K. 

DiPalma,  Pietro 

P.IC. 

A 

u 

« 

11/  1/18 

K. 

232 


History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 


Name. 
DoLLARD,  Joseph  P. 
Donnelly,  Frank  I. 

DORSCHEID,    NORBERT    B. 

Dow,  John  L. 
Drumm,  Robert  I. 
DuGGAN,  John  F. 
Effingham,  Harry 
Egan,  John  B. 
Ellison,  William  J. 
Erickson,  Carl  A. 
Erlandson,  Gustaf  F. 
Ervin,  Anthony  Y. 
Farry,  Lester  E. 
Filkins,  Frank 
Foss,  Harry  A. 
Franzblau,  Edward  W. 
Friedel,  Michael 
Gallagher,  Frank 
Gallagher,  Thomas  P. 
Gartecki,  Julian  F.s 
Gaskill,  Eldridge  K. 
Gauvin  John  B. 
Gerhard,  Joseph  A. 
Gernand,  Charles  A. 
Gernold,  August  J. 
Gianetta,  Josepm 
GiEs,  Walter  E. 
GoBER,  Frank  J. 
GoLos,  Philip 
Grady,  William  Jr. 
Gregg,  Nicholas  A. 
Hansenberger.  John  G, 
Hardies,  William  A. 
Harkins,  Hiram  J. 
Harris,  Russell  S. 
Hart,  Israel  R. 
Hibbard,  Curtis  T. 
High,  Jesse  A. 
Hildebrand,  George  J. 
HoFER,  Benjamin  K. 
Hoffman,  Chester  E. 
HoGLUND,  Gustaf  E. 
Holler,  Harry  R. 
HoLUM,  Almer  G. 
Humbert,  Louis  A. 
Hyslip,  Edward 
Irvin,  John 
Jackson,  Peter 
Johnson,  Andrew  J. 
Johnson,  Oscar  R. 
JoRDANO,  Frank 
Kaczmarek,  Frank  J. 
Kantz,  Clarence  E. 
Kazimir,  Stephen  G, 
Kellogg,  John  W. 
Kelly,  John  F. 
Kelly,  Michael  A. 
Kenna,  Joseph  M. 
KiERNAN,  Frederick  N. 
Kindt,  Edward  W. 
Klaiber,  Christ  J. 
Koegel,  William 
Koehler,  Herman  G. 
Kramer,  Isaac 
Kropidlowski,  Peter  W. 
KuczKOWSKi,  Alexandre 
Kuhnke,  Adolph  F. 
KuRTZHALS,  Charles 


Rank. 

Organizat'i 

ion. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

P. 

B 

-311th  Inf. 

10/20/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

G 

_  u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

P. 

MG-  « 

u 

9/22/18 

W. 

P. 

A 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

K 

_    u 

u 

10/27/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

E 

_     u 

u 

10/18/18 

W. 

p. 

B 

_  u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

D 

_     u 

u 

10/24/18 

W. 

p. 

B 

_    u 

a 

11/  4/18 

W. 

p. 

B 

_     u 

a 

11/  1/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

B 

_     a 

u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

p. 

E 

_  u 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Mech. 

B 

-311th  Inf. 

10/  1/18 

W. 

P. 

G 

_  a 

a 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

D 

_    u 

u 

10/20/18 

K 

1st.  Sgt. 

D 

a 

u 

10/16/18 

K 

P. 

M 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K 

Cpl. 

K 

-311th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K 

Cpl. 

L 

_  « 

u 

10/26/18 

K, 

Cpl. 

A 

_  « 

a 

10/20/18 

K. 

Mech. 

I 

_  « 

u 

10/26/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

MD-  " 

u 

10/24/18 

W. 

P. 

MG-  " 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

P. 

H 

_  « 

a 

10/17/18 

K. 

P. 

K 

_  « 

u 

10/28/18 

K. 

P. 

HQ 

_  « 

a 

9/24/18 

W. 

Sgt. 

G 

_  (( 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P. 

C 

_  (( 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

P. 

I 

^     u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

P. 

L 

_  u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

P. 

G 

u 

a 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

B 

-311th  Inf. 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

_  u 

u 

10/30/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

M 

_  « 

u 

10/30/18 

K. 

p. 

L 

_  u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Mech. 

E 

_  u 

a 

10/26/18 

K. 

P. 

D 

_  u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

P. 

MD-  " 

a 

11/  2/18 

W. 

P. 

D 

_     « 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

M 

_  u 

u 

10/27/18 

K. 

P. 

M 

_     u 

a 

10/25/18 

W. 

P. 

I 

_    u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P. 

C 

_  « 

a 

10/22/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

A 

_  u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

P. 

L 

_  « 

u 

10/23/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

A 

_  « 

a 

10/30/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

M 

-311th  Inf. 

11/  6/18 

W. 

p. 

A 

-311th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

_  u 

u 

10/27/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

_  u 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

u 

10/31/18 

w. 

p. 

C 

-311th  Inf. 

10/16/18 

K 

Sgt. 

K 

_  u 

u 

10/27/18 

K. 

p. 

K 

_    u 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

M 

u 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

p. 

C 

_  « 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

A 

_  u 

u 

10/30/18 

W. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

10/25/18 

W. 

p. 

.  E 

_     u 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

_  « 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

H 

_  « 

u 

9/20/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

_  u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

_  u 

u 

10/30/18 

K. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

_    u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

_     it 

« 

9/28/18 

W. 

p. 

G 

_     u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

p. 

K 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Name. 
KusNETz,  Joseph 
Laird,  Clarence 
Lancaster,  Grove  J. 
Lande,  Kleng  M. 
Langstaff,  John  T. 
Larson,  William  T. 
Laurencell,  Harry  J. 
Leach,  Willard  J. 
Leadbetter,  Carl  W. 
Lehy,  Howard  C. 
Leitzke,  Edward  A. 
Leonardis,  Tommaso 
Lindner,  Oscar  J. 
LoMBARDO,  Joseph 
Looby,  Edmund 
LuBS,  Frederick  W. 
Lykes,  James  B. 
McClelland,  George  B. 
Macedo,  Joseph  E. 
McGovern,  James  P. 
McKinstry,  William 
Madigan,  Augustus  D. 
Maestri,  William 
Maggio,  Giuseppe 
Maier,  George 
Makowiecki,  Boleslau 
Martin,  James  P. 
Martin,  Richard  T. 
Maruca,  Vincent 
Maske,  Louis  A. 
Matthews,  James 
Meyers,  Edward  J.  C. 
Mezzi,  Aurelio 
Miron,  Samuel  D. 
Mitchell,  Daniel  J. 
MoDROK,  Richard  H. 
Monsees,  Edward 
MoRiTZ,  Jacob  G. 
Mundy,  Arthur  F. 
Murray,  Daniel  J. 
Murray,  Peter 
Muscillo,  Pasquale 
Neary,  Thomas  F. 
Neill,  William  B. 
Newby,  Willard 
Newell,  Clendenon  S. 
Nicholas,  Irving  J. 
Niespodziany,  Kaiser 
Nigra,  Michael 
NoMELAND,  Jim  j. 
NoRRis,  George 
O'Brien,  James  A. 
O'Brien,  Michael  J. 
O'Hara,  William  F. 
Olivetti,  Blaze  L. 
Ongstead,  Henry  T. 
Palmer,  Frank  N. 
Parker,  Robert  L 
Passalaqua,  Joseph  A 
Patalino,  Dominic 
Pawlak,  Stanislaus 
Peake,  Herman 
Perkins,  Walter 
Perrine,  William  D. 
Perry,  Spencer  B. 
Petersen,  Ingvor 
Peterson,  Nels 
Phillips,  Richard  J. 


Honor  Roll 

Rank. 

Organization 

P.IC. 

A 

-211th  Itf 

Sgt. 

E 

-311th  Inf. 

Sgt. 

MG-  " 

I 

P.IC. 

I 

_  u 

I 

Cpl. 

K 

_     « 

u 

Cpl. 

M 

_  « 

u 

p. 

B 

_  o 

u 

Mech. 

G 

_  « 

i 

Cpl. 

K 

_  u 

u 

Sgt. 

B 

-    " 

u 

p. 

B 

_  u 

( 

p. 

C 

_  u 

i 

P.IC. 

I 

_     u 

i 

p. 

D 

_     u 

i 

p. 

MD-  " 

I 

p. 

M 

_  u 

i 

P.IC. 

B 

_  (( 

1 

P.IC. 

F 

_  (( 

( 

P.IC. 

A 

_  u 

( 

P.IC. 

C 

_     u 

u 

Cpl. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Cpl. 

L 

_     u 

u 

p. 

F 

_     u 

u 

P. 

C 

_     » 

u 

P. 

K 

u 

u 

P. 

B 

_     u 

a 

P. 

G 

_  « 

u 

Sgt. 

D 

_  u 

u 

p. 

L 

_  " 

u 

p. 

B 

._  u 

u 

p. 

E 

_  u 

it 

p. 

I 

_     u. 

u 

p. 

H 

_     u 

i 

p. 

M 

_  u 

I 

p. 

A 

_     u 

I 

p. 

A 

_     u 

u 

p. 

G 

u 

u 

p. 

M 

_     u 

i 

p. 

D 

_  u 

I 

p. 

G 

_     u 

u 

p. 

E 

u 

( 

p.. 

I 

_     a 

( 

p. 

D 

-311th  Inf 

Sgt. 

F 

_  « 

( 

p. 

C 

_  a 

( 

Sgt. 

B 

_  u 

( 

p. 

F 

a 

( 

p. 

G 

_  u 

I 

p. 

G 

u 

i 

p. 

D 

_  u 

I 

p. 

D 

_    « 

( 

p. 

D 

_  u 

( 

p. 

F 

_  u 

( 

p. 

B 

_     u 

( 

p. 

M 

_     u 

( 

p. 

A 

-    " 

u. 

p. 

A 

-311th  Inf 

PIC 

HQ 

-  « 

I 

p 

L 

_  u 

u 

p 

F 

_     u 

i 

p 

E 

_     u 

t 

p. 

M 

_     u 

( 

Sgt. 

A 

_  u 

I 

p. 

F 

_     u 

( 

Sgt. 

G 

u 

< 

Sgt. 

F 

_     « 

( 

p. 

D 

_  « 

( 

p. 

E 

_  u 

< 

233 


Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  1/18  (?) 

W. 

10/  3/18 

K. 

9/30/18 

K. 

10/27/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

W. 

9/24/18 

K. 

9/29/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/31/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

W. 

10/20/18 

W. 

11/  5/17 

K. 

10/26/18 

W. 

9/26/18 

K. 

11/  3/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K 

10/17/18 

K. 

9/24/18 

W. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/  5/18 

W. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/30/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  4/18 

K. 

19/28/18 

K. 

9/17/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

9/20/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

9/25/18 

W. 

9/29/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

K. 

10/30/18 

K. 

10/  3/18 

W. 

10/17/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

10/17/18 

K. 

9/18/18 

K. 

10/27/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/30/18 

K 

10/27/18 

K 

10/  3/18 

K 

11/  1/18 

W 

10/  7/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

234 


History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 


Name. 

Rank. 

Ortjanization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

Plotnick,  Isador 

P. 

M   ■ 

-311th  inf. 

10/26/18 

K. 

Prigge,  John  R. 

P. 

H 

-    " 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Pucci,  TONEY 

P. 

K 

_     u 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

QuiNE,  Frederick  M. 

P. 

A 

-311th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Rabinowitz,  Hyman 

P. 

G 

-311th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Rasiam,  Paul 

P. 

H 

_     u 

u 

10/21/18 

K. 

Reed,  Richard  H. 

P. 

K 

-   « 

u 

10/27/18 

K. 

Reilly,  Francis  J. 

P. 

I 

-   « 

u 

10/26/18 

W. 

RoBBiNs,  Archibald  E. 

Sgt. 

K 

-   " 

" 

10/25/18 

K. 

ROSENFELD.    LoUIS 

P. 

M 

_     u 

« 

10/26/18 

K. 

RoTHBERG,  Louis 

Cpl. 

A 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

RowE,  Bertram  A. 

Cpl. 

A 

_     11 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Rowley,  Joseph  C.  . 

Sgt. 

M 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Ryan,  Joseph  J. 

p. 

D 

-    " 

K 

8/24/18 

K. 

Saboe,  Colben  J. 

Cpl. 

F 

-311th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Salata,  Angelo 

p. 

F 

-    " 

" 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Santora,  Gerardo 

p. 

D 

_     u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Sawyer,  William  E. 

p. 

G 

_     (( 

tl 

10/28/18 

K. 

Schaefer,  Anthony 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

ScHELTER.  John  D. 

Sgt. 

B 

_     u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

ScHRADER,  George  C. 

p. 

I 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

ScHREiNER,  George 

P.IC. 

B 

_     u 

u 

10/20/18 

K. 

ScHULTz,  Walter 

P.IC. 

B 

_     u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

Schweitzer,  Leo  L. 

p. 

HQ 

_     u 

" 

9/29/19 

K. 

Scott,  Claude  J. 

P.IC. 

K 

_     u 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

Scott,  William  H. 

Cpl. 

I 

_     li 

u 

11/  2/18 

K. 

Sheppard,  Jess  J. 

Mech. 

L 

_     u 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

Shortsleeve,  Loney 

P. 

L 

_      u 

" 

10/25/18 

K. 

Sier,  Charles 

P. 

E 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Skjlbred,  Eric 

P. 

F 

_     u 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

Slover,  Luke  E. 

P.IC. 

B 

-   « 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

Smith,  Doris 

P. 

H 

-   " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Smith,  Jacob 

P. 

E 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Snyder,  William  H. 

P. 

MG 

_     " 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Somma,  Cosimo 

P. 

E 

_     u 

« 

10/26/18 

K. 

SoRENSEN,  John  H. 

P. 

M 

_    u 

M 

9/29/18 

K. 

Stancievitch,  George 

P.IC. 

I 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Stankiewicz,  Boleslow 

P.IC 

I 

u 

u 

10/27/18 

W. 

Stiles,  Morton  H. 

Sgt. 

A 

-   « 

« 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Stipa,  Francesco 

P.IC. 

L 

_     « 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Stuhser,  Frank  H. 

p. 

B 

_     » 

u 

10/30/18 

K. 

Sullivan,  John  L. 

P.IC. 

B 

_     « 

u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

Sullivan,  William  H. 

p. 

G 

_     u 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

SURICO,    VlTO 

P.IC. 

I 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

SZYDLOWSKI,    MaTHEW    S. 

p. 

M 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Tates,  Arthur 

Cpl. 

M 

-311th  Inf. 

10/25/18 

w. 

Tisci,  Joe 

p 

H 

_     u 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

TojDowsKi,  Joseph 

p. 

MG 

'_     " 

u 

10/  3/18 

K. 

Tomosetti,  Luigi 

p. 

C 

u 

u 

10/22/18 

K. 

Treacy,  Peter  J. 

p. 

D 

_     « 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Tyszkewyc,  Jan 

p. 

K 

_     « 

u 

11/  6/18 

W. 

VlTALE,    DoMENICK 

p. 

L 

-311th  Inf. 

10/26/18 

K. 

ViTALE,  Joseph 

p. 

H 

_     u 

u 

9/20/18 

K. 

VoRTA,  Nicholas 

p. 

B 

_     u 

u 

9/26/18 

W. 

Wald,  Marcus  G. 

p. 

E 

-311th  Inf. 

10/26/18 

K. 

Waldron,  James  J. 

p. 

G 

_     « 

u 

10/19/18 

W. 

Wall,  Maurice  A. 

Cpl. 

E 

_     u 

u 

11/  4/18 

W. 

Walling,  Clarence  C. 

Mess  Sgt. 

MG-   " 

u 

10/21/18 

W. 

Walter,  Leslie  J. 

P. 

F 

_     u 

u 

11/  2/18 

K. 

Weidman,  John  C. 

Cpl. 

B 

_     it 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Weinman,  John  P. 

P.IC. 

I 

u 

u 

12/21/18 

W. 

Westcott,  Sylvester  J. 

p. 

D 

_     u 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

Whelan,  Dominic  W. 

p. 

I 

_     « 

u 

10/31/18 

W. 

Williams,  Thomas  M. 

p. 

HQ 

_     u 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

Winkler,  Charles  F. 

p. 

HQ 

_     u 

u 

10/18/18 

W. 

Wolcott,  George  T. 

Cpl. 

B 

_     u 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

WoRSFOLD,  Albert  J. 

p. 

B 

_     u 

u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

WuLFF,  George  C. 

p. 

H 

_     u 

u 

9/24/18 

W. 

Yaschuk,  Steve 

p. 

G 

-311th  Inf. 

9/28/18 

K. 

Name. 
Zanni,  Michael 
ZoGASic,  Pete 
AcuLLO,  Anthony 
Adams,  Frank  P. 
Allen,  Charles  M. 
Allen,  Lee  B. 
Aloi,  Peter 
Anderson,  Alfred  A. 
Bailer,  Arthur  G. 
Baker,  Frank 
Baker,  John  T. 
Baldwin,  Colonel  P. 
Beeson,  Woodman  R. 
Berry,  Frank 

BlLZ,     JAMES     C. 

Birmingham,  Peter  J. 
Bjugson,  Halvor 
Blum,  Raymond 
Boehm,  James  J. 
Borland,  David  T.,  Jr. 
Bowers,  Leo  J. 
Brassy,  Domenick 
Bruno,  Michael  J. 
Bryan,  Albert  M. 
BucKELY,  Edward  J. 
Butera,  Albert  W. 
Byrne,  Hugh  A. 
Calleri,  Domenico 
Campfield,  George  F. 
Carlson,  Charles 
Carlson,  Ernest  H. 
Carney,  Thomas  F. 
Carroll,  Arthur  F. 
Caruccio,  Carmen 
Cattani,  Joseph  L. 
Cavallo,  Constantino 
Chadbourne,  Ernest  C. 
Childs,  Russell  B. 
Chula,  John 

ClFRODELLA,    AnGELO 

Clark,  Clarence  L. 
Cleaves,  Harvey  R. 
Condit,  Raymond  S. 
CoNROY,  Joseph  F. 
Curtin,  Thomas  E. 
Danufsky,  Philip 
Davidson,  Tasker  K. 
Decker,  Louis  L. 
Dellacamera,  Vincenzo 
De  Nourie,  Elmer 
DePoni,  Louis 
DeSario,  Vincenzo 
Dethloff,  Alvin 
Devereaux,  James  J. 
Diamond,  Edward  R. 
Dirner,  John 
Donovan,  John  L. 
Doyle,  Edward  J. 
Duffy,  William  T. 
Dumblauskas,  Ignos  a. 
Dunn,  Joseph  Z. 
Dunn,  Parker  F. 
Durning,  George  J. 
DuscHKiN,  Isidore 
Earle,  Robert  M. 
Eckstrom,  Carl  W. 
Egan,  Bartholmew  J. 
Egan,  Leo  L. 


Honor  Roll 

Rank. 

Organization. 

P. 

B     -311th  Inf. 

P. 

M    - 

a 

u 

P. 

M    -312th  Inf. 

P. 

C     - 

(( 

" 

P.IC. 

D    - 

(1 

u 

P. 

I      - 

» 

u 

P. 

D    - 

u 

u 

P. 

A     - 

u 

u 

P. 

A     -312th  Inf. 

P. 

A     - 

u 

u 

P. 

A     - 

u 

u 

P. 

B     - 

u 

u 

P. 

D    - 

" 

u 

P. 

A     - 

(( 

u 

Sgt. 

E     - 

u 

a 

Mus.  3C 

HQ 

u 

u 

P. 

M   - 

u 

u 

P. 

B     - 

u 

u 

P. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

P. 

C     - 

u 

u 

Sgt. 

A 

u 

u 

P. 

A    - 

u 

u 

P. 

A     - 

u 

u 

P. 

D    - 

u 

u 

P. 

H    - 

u 

u 

Sgt. 

L    - 

u 

u 

Sgt. 

F    - 

u 

ii 

p. 

B     -311th  Inf. 

p. 

SD  - 

u 

u 

p. 

D    - 

u 

u 

p. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

p. 

B     - 

u 

u 

Sgt. 

K    - 

u 

u 

p. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

p. 

D    - 

u 

u 

p 

M    - 

u 

u 

Cpl. 

K    - 

a 

u 

p. 

D 

u 

" 

p. 

K    - 

u 

u 

p. 

F     - 

u 

u 

Bglr. 

D    - 

u 

u 

p. 

G    - 

u 

u 

P.IC. 

G    - 

u 

u 

P. 

B     - 

u 

a 

P. 

HQ- 

u 

u 

P. 

G    - 

312th  Inf. 

P. 

F    - 

u 

u 

P. 

D    - 

u 

u 

P. 

B     - 

u 

u 

P. 

SD- 

u 

u 

P.IC. 

K    - 

u 

" 

p. 

D    - 

u 

u 

p. 

B    - 

u 

u 

P.IC. 

A     - 

u 

u 

p. 

H    - 

" 

u 

p. 

I     - 

u 

u 

p. 

C     - 

u 

u 

p. 

I     - 

u 

u 

Sgt. 

L     - 

u 

u 

p. 

H    - 

" 

it 

p. 

HQ- 

" 

u 

p. 

A    - 

(( 

u 

p. 

MG- 

u 

u 

p 

G    - 

u 

u 

Cpl. 

I      - 

312th  Inf. 

p. 

C     - 

« 

u 

p. 

A    - 

u 

u 

Sgt. 

MG- 

u 

u 

Date  of  Death. 
9/26/18 
10/26/18 
10/24/18 
10/18/18 
10/18/18 
10/23/18 
10/24/18 
10/18/18 
9/22/18 
10/18/18 
10/21/18 
10/22/18 
10/26/18 
10/18/18 
10/17/18 
10/30/18 
10/24/18 
10/22/18 
10/17/18 
10/24/18 
10/18/18 
10/16/18 
10/18/18 
10/23/18 
10/22/18 
10/22/16 
10/16/18 
10/24/18 
10/29/18 
9/20/18 
10/22/18 
10/23/18 
12/17/18 
10/17/18 
11/  1/18 
10/24/18 
10/24/18 
10/20/18 
10/27/18 
9/28/18 
10/19/18 
10/18/18 
9/23/18 
10/21/18 
10/16/18 
10/17/18 
10/27/18 
10/17/18 
10/27/18 
10/29/19 
10/24/18 
10/24/18 
11/  1/18  (?) 
10/18/18 
10/19/18 
10/23/18 
10/24/18 
10/23/18 
10/  3/18 
9/26/18 
10/23/18 
10/24/18 
10/21/18 
10/22/18 
10/23/18 
10/18/18 
10/18/18 
10/25/18 


235 


Key. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K 
K 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
W 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
AD. 
A.D. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K 
K. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K, 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
W. 
K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 


236 


History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


Name. 
Elphick,  William 
English,  John  A. 
Eraminas,  Silvestbas 
Erickson,  Edward 
EssiG,  Harry 
Evans,  William  J. 
Eyre,  George 
Fanning,  John  M. 
Feuerring,  David 
Fiermonte,  Giuseppe 
FiNOCCHio,  Joseph 
Fischer,  Thomas  W. 
Flannigan,  Thomas 
Foster,  Henry  W. 
Frank,  Louis  L. 
Gallagher,  John  J. 
Garigali,  Concetto 
Genovese,  Giro 
GiBNEY,  Clark  E. 
Gilroy,  Michael 
Gimera,  John 
Goggin,  Richard  J. 
Golden,  Clarence  R. 
goncavskas,  nlckolas 

GOODEN,    ZeB 

Goodman,  Jake 
Gresser,  Daniel  P. 
Guile,  Arthur  W. 
Hallquist,  Gerhard  E, 
Harchar,  John 
Harebo,  Arthur 
Heinrich,  Jerome 
Hennessy,  James 
Herrmann,  Bertrand 
Hudders,  William  L. 
Humphrey,  Hugh 
HuPER,  William  L. 
Jagow,  Otto 
Johnson,  Crist 
Jones,  Curtis 
Kaczyknski,  Adam 
Kaiser,  George  T. 
Kaminski,  Louis  W. 
Kaplan,  Herman 
Kaplan,  Samuel 
Keller,  Frederick  W. 
Kelley,  William  C. 
Kemmer,  August  W. 

KlEFRIEDER,    HaRRY    B. 

Kilmer,  Edward  J.,  Jr. 
Kilts,  George  W. 
Kinnaman,  Bertrand 
KiNZEL,  Ferdinand 
Klaban,  Benjamin 
Kolinsky,  Louis 
Kramel,  Charles  J. 
Krim,  Benjamin 
Kruse,  George  P. 
KucHiNSKY,  Harry 
Laghi.  Giuseppe 
Lange,  Edwin  A. 
Lapinsky,  Victor 
Larkin,  William  F. 
Larson,  Wilmar  J. 
Lauenstein,  William  A. 
Leahy,  William  L. 
Lee,  Clarence 
Lenahan,  John 


Rabk. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

P. 

B  -312th  Inf. 

10/27/18 

K. 

P. 

H  -  " 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

P. 

B  -  « 

a 

10/27/18 

K. 

P. 

F  -  « 

u 

10/16/18  (?) 

W. 

P. 

I   -  " 

u 

10/25/18 

W. 

P. 

B  -  « 

u 

10/22/18 

K. 

P. 

E  -  " 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

P. 

C  -312th  Inf. 

10/24/18 

K. 

P. 

A  -  " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P. 

D  -  " 

u 

9/18/18 

W. 

P. 

A  -  « 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P. 

C  -  " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P. 

D 

u 

10/23/18 

K. 

P. 

D  -  « 

u 

10/23/18 

K. 

Mus.  3C. 

HQ-  « 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

P. 

HQ -312th  Inf. 

10/17/18 

K. 

P. 

H  -  « 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

P. 

H  -  « 

u 

10/16/18  (?) 

W. 

P. 

C  -  " 

u 

10/17/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

D  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

P. 

D  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

P. 

B  -  " 

u 

9/24/18 

K. 

P. 

L  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

W. 

P. 

I   -  " 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Mech. 

E  -  " 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

P. 

A  -  « 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

P. 

M  -  " 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

P. 

K  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

P. 

M  -31th  Inf. 

10/24/18 

K. 

P.IC 

K  -  « 

a 

10/24/18 

K 

P 

C  -  « 

u 

10/26/18  (?) 

W. 

P. 

H  -  " 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

B  -  " 

u 

10/21/18 

K. 

P.IC. 

D  -  " 

a 

10/24/18 

K. 

P. 

B  -  " 

a 

10/22/18 

K. 

p. 

B 

u 

11/  4/18 

K. 

p. 

E  -  " 

a 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

E  -312th  Inf. 

10/19/18 

K. 

p. 

C  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

p. 

M 

u 

10/26/18 

K. 

p. 

I   -312th  Inf. 

10/23/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

HQ-  " 

u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

p. 

F  -  « 

u 

10/30/18 

W. 

P.IC. 

K  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

p. 

D  -  " 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ  -" 

u 

10/30/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

A  -  " 

u 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

G  -  '^ 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ-  " 

u 

8/28/18 

K. 

p. 

A  -  « 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

p. 

E  -  " 

u 

9/27/18 

W. 

Cpl. 

F  -  « 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

p. 

G  -  " 

u 

8/25/18 

K. 

p. 

G  -  " 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ-  " 

u 

10/17/18 

W. 

Mus.  2C. 

HQ-  " 

a 

10/22/18 

K. 

p. 

B  -  " 

u 

10/21/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

I  -  " 

" 

10/23/18 

K. 

p. 

HQ-  " 

u 

10/19/18 

K. 

p. 

F  -312th  Inf. 

10/16/18 

K. 

p. 

I   -  " 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

p. 

A  -  " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

p. 

G  -  " 

u 

9/26/18 

K. 

p 

G  -  " 

u 

10/18/18 

K. 

Cpl. 

E  -  * 

u 

10/17/17 

K. 

p. 

D  -  « 

u 

10/24/18 

K. 

p. 

G  -  " 

« 

10/18/18 

K. 

Sgt. 

K  -  " 

u 

10/25/18 

K. 

Honor  Roll 

Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Leslie,  Francis  C. 

P. 

H 

-312th  Inf. 

Lewis,  Frank  E. 

P. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Likens,  Isaac 

P. 

L 

_     u 

u 

Lindner,  Walter  G. 

P. 

G 

_     u 

u 

Lockhart,  John  F. 

P.IC. 

K 

_     u 

u 

LoRiNO,  Joseph 

P. 

B 

_     u 

u 

Lowenstern,  Erwin 

P. 

M 

_     u 

u 

Mabie,  Harris  E. 

P. 

H 

-312th  Inf. 

McDonald,  William  B. 

Cpl. 

D 

-    " 

a 

McGloine,  Edward 

p. 

E 

_     u 

u 

McGraw,  Thomas  C. 

c. 

C 

_     « 

u 

McKiNNEY,  Elmer  E. 

P.IC. 

E 

u 

a 

McMuRTRY,  George  W. 

p. 

E 

_     u 

a 

Maffucci,  Vincenzo 

p. 

B 

_     u 

a 

Malone,  Edward  J. 

Sgt. 

M 

_     u 

a 

Mancini,  Marino 

p. 

F 

u 

u 

Manke,  Edward  L. 

p. 

H 

_     u 

u 

Maresca,  Charles  F. 

p. 

H 

_     u 

a 

Martino,  Joseph 

p. 

A 

_     u 

M 

Mason,  William  R. 

p. 

H 

_     u 

« 

Massen,  Ernest  G. 

p. 

I 

_     « 

« 

Mathes,  Joseph  J. 

p. 

H 

_     u, 

U 

Mesmer,  Frank  L. 

L.Cpl. 

A 

_    « 

a 

MONTONARO,    StACHY 

P. 

M 

« 

u 

Montone,  Angelo 

P. 

K 

_    « 

u 

Murray,  Charles 

P. 

H 

« 

« 

MuTH,  Benjamin  H. 

P. 

B 

_     u. 

« 

Nahm,  Edward 

P. 

H 

-312th  Inf. 

Napolitan,  Leonard 

P. 

C 

_     « 

« 

Norton,  Joseph  P. 

Cpl. 

I 

_     « 

u 

Novak,  Frank 

p. 

M 

« 

u 

O'Brien,  Dennis  J. 

p. 

D 

-312th  Inf. 

O'Connor,  William  A. 

Cpl. 

H 

_    <i 

a 

Oiseth,  Gustave  a. 

p. 

K 

_     a 

a 

Olson,  Victor 

p. 

C 

_     « 

a 

Olstrum,  Irving  C. 

Sgt. 

E 

_     a 

u 

O'Malley,  Peter 

p. 

C 

_     « 

u 

Osborne,  Loyal  A. 

Cpl. 

F 

_     « 

a 

Ottman,  Merton  R. 

p. 

L 

_     « 

u 

Owens,  Edward  L. 

p. 

D 

_     « 

u 

Paul,  Abe 

p. 

H 

-312th  Inf. 

Policastro,  Frank  J. 

P.IC. 

G 

_    « 

a 

Prentice,  Ralph 

p. 

B 

_    « 

u 

Punchard,  William  W.,  Jr. 

p. 

M 

_    « 

a 

Reyer,  Joseph  F. 

p. 

F 

-312th  Inf. 

Reynolds,  Albert  J. 

P.IC. 

D 

_    (1 

a 

RoBBiNs,  James  S. 

Sgt. 

B 

_    « 

u 

Roth,  Raymond  J. 

P. 

B 

_    « 

a 

Sawelson,  William 

Sup.  Sgt. 

M 

-312th  Inf 

Sayers,  Delbert  a. 

P. 

C 

_    « 

a 

Scarfo,  Patsy 

p. 

E 

_    « 

u 

Schroeder,  Oscar  S.,  Jr. 

P.IC. 

MD-    " 

u 

Scott,  Kenneth  J. 

Cpl. 

G 

_   « 

a 

Senkyr,  Frank  G. 

p. 

D 

_    « 

u 

Seymour,  Edward 

Cpl. 

E 

_    u 

u 

Shalteri,  Guiseppe 

p. 

F 

_     « 

« 

Slater,  Norman  C. 

p. 

H 

_     « 

a 

Smith,  Joseph 

p. 

D 

_     u. 

u 

Smith,  William  T. 

P.IC. 

I 

_     « 

u 

Spahr,  William 

Mus.  2C. 

HQ-   " 

u 

Stanton,  Martin  J. 

P. 

E 

_     u 

u 

Steip,  Henry  J. 

P. 

I 

_     u 

a 

Suden,  George  T. 

Sgt. 

K 

_     u 

u 

Sullivan,  Michael  P. 

Cpl. 

K 

_     « 

u 

SuLLO,  Benizio  p. 

P. 

I 

_    « 

it 

Sw ANSON,  Henry  S. 

p. 

MG-    " 

u 

SwANTON,  John  D. 

p. 

HQ-   " 

u 

Swift,  James  E. 

P.IC. 

F 

_     u 

u 

237 


Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

10/19/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

W. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/22/18 

K. 

10/22/18 

K. 

10/31/18 

K. 

10/22/18 

W. 

10/25/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

9/21/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/22/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

W. 

10/23/18 

K. 

9/22/18 

K. 

10/22/18 

W. 

10/25/18 

W. 

11/  2/18 

W. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/22/18      . 

K. 

10/31/18 

K. 

9/25/18 

K. 

10/22/18 

K. 

11/  2/18 

W. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/23/18 

K. 

10/28/18 

W. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/19/18 

K. 

10/25/18 

K. 

10/24/18 

K. 

9/26/18 

K. 

10/24/18 

K. 

7/  4/17 

K. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

10/24/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/20/18 

W. 

10/21/18 

K. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

10/23/18 

K. 

10/27/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/21/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/31/18 

W. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/29/18 

K. 

10/21/18 

K. 

10/26/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

10/18/18 

K. 

10/23/18 

W. 

10/24/18 

K. 

10/23/18 

K. 

10/30/18 

W. 

9/26/18 

K. 

10/23/18 

K. 

10/24/18 

K. 

10/25/18 

K. 

10/23/18 

K. 

10/21/18 

K. 

9/24/18 

K. 

10/16/18 

K. 

238 


History  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Division 


Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

SCATONE,   AnGELO 

P. 

D 

_     u            u 

10/24/18 

K 

SzALYKO,  John 

P.IC. 

K 

_     u            u. 

10/22/18  CO 

K. 

Taylor,  William  H. 

P. 

HCj 

(-312th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

Thelen,  John  E. 

P. 

A 

_      u               « 

10/18/18 

K. 

Tr>cy,  George  F. 

P. 

C 

_      a             (( 

9/18/18 

W. 

Trano,  Paul 

P. 

D 

_     u.            « 

10/17/18 

K. 

Troutt,  William  T. 

P. 

D 

_     "             " 

10/18/18 

K. 

Tubes,  Raymonde  E. 

P. 

B 

_     "             " 

10/20/18 

K. 

Turk,  Walter 

P. 

M 

_     "             « 

10/24/18 

K. 

Urbanski,  Joseph 

P. 

M 

-312th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Vance,  John  A. 

P. 

A 

-312th  Inf. 

10/21/18 

K. 

Vinson,  Clarence 

P. 

I 

_     «            u. 

11/  1/18 

W. 

VisBECK,  Cornelius 

P.IC. 

C 

_     u.            u 

10/26/18 

K. 

Waldron,  William  H.,  Jr. 

p 

H 

-312th  Inf. 

9/25/18 

K. 

Walsh,  Frank  J. 

p. 

F 

_    «         « 

10/18/18 

K. 

Ward,  Marquard 

p. 

C 

_    «         " 

10/18/18 

K. 

Warner,  Ralph 

p. 

I 

_       U                 (( 

10/23/18 

K. 

Webster,  Herbert  L. 

p. 

K 

_     «            u. 

10/25/18 

K. 

Weden,  Hugo  C. 

Cpl. 

M 

u             a 

8/27/18  (?) 

W. 

Willever,  Samuel  A. 

p. 

K 

_     "             " 

10/25/18 

K. 

Young,  Herbert  E. 

Sgt. 

HQ-312th  Inf. 

19/23/18 

K. 

Zamarra,  Paul 

p. 

G 

-312th  Inf. 

10/18/18 

W. 

Zeberko,  Frank  J. 

p. 

F 

_     u            u 

10/27/18 

K. 

Behrer,  Walter  J. 

p. 

D 

-307th  F.A. 

9/11/18 

K. 

Berrue,  Harold 

P.IC. 

E 

_      "         " 

9/26/18 

W. 

Bluefstein,  William 

p. 

B 

_      "         " 

9/15/18 

W. 

Canfield,  Paul  B. 

P.IC. 

HQ- 307th  F.A. 

11/  4/18 

K. 

Hall,  Coral 

p. 

C 

-307th  F.A. 

10/19/16 

K. 

McKee,  Guy  E. 

Sgt. 

D 

-307th  F.A. 

10/31/18 

W. 

Ransom,  Chester  H. 

p. 

B 

-307th  F.A. 

9/12/18  (?) 

W. 

Reid,  James  R. 

p. 

C 

_     (1         « 

10/19/18 

W. 

Reisner,  Charles  M. 

p. 

c 

_         u              « 

10/19/18 

W. 

Rudnitzskj,  Joseph  H. 

p. 

D 

_        u            u 

9/25/18 

W. 

Wallace,  Addison  L. 

p. 

D 

-307th  F.A. 

11/  2/18 

K. 

Wehner,  Charles  J. 

p. 

D 

_      "         " 

9/11/18 

K. 

Widger,  William 

p. 

D 

_      "         " 

10/31/18 

W. 

Black,  Frank  E. 

p. 

C 

-308th  F.A. 

9/27/18  (?) 

W. 

COONEY,   WiLLARD 

p. 

D 

-308th  F.A. 

9/14/18 

K. 

Johnson,  Charles  E. 

p. 

D 

-308th  F.A. 

10/25/18 

W. 

Murphy,  Joseph  H. 

P.IC. 

D 

-308th  F.A. 

10/20/18 

K. 

Seaman,  Edward  F. 

P.IC. 

D 

-308th  F.A. 

9/14/18 

K. 

Stein,  Herman  C. 

p. 

D 

u            a 

9/21/18 

W. 

Thomas,  John 

1st  Sgt. 

D 

-308th  F.A. 

9/14/18 

K. 

Carra,  John 

P.IC. 

C 

-309th  F.A. 

10/3/18 

W. 

SoMERS,  Ralph  C. 

p. 

A 

-309th  F.A. 

1/23/19 

DA, 

Samlar,  Fred  J. 

Bglr. 

B 

-307th  MlG.Bn. 

6/28/19 

W. 

Bertino,  Frank  E. 

p. 

B 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/27/18 

K. 

Chapman,  William  C,  Jr. 

P. 

A 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/25/18 

K. 

Connelly,  James  R. 

P. 

B 

_        u              u 

9/27/18 

K. 

Erickson,  Jonas  H. 

P. 

A 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/25/18 

K. 

Feinbloom,  Nathan 

P. 

MD-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/21/18 

K. 

Frampton,  Howard  B. 

P. 

D 

_          (1                    u 

9/27/18 

K. 

Gallinger,  John  L. 

P.IC. 

C 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/26/18 

K. 

Gray,  Leander 

p. 

D 

_       a            u 

9/17/18 

K. 

Hanson,  Fred  J. 

P.IC. 

B 

—308th  M.G.Bn. 

10/25/18 

K. 

Hertter,  Willie  J. 

P.IC. 

C 

_      «           " 

9/21/18 

K. 

McAufliffe,  William  A. 

p. 

B 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

12/  9/18 

D.A. 

McCausland,  Henry  F. 

p. 

A 

_      «           « 

9/19/18 

K. 

McCloskey,  Andrew  J. 

p. 

C 

_      «           " 

9/18/18 

K. 

Mahon,  Peter  J. 

p. 

D 

_      «           « 

10/18/18 

W. 

Rigney,  John 

P.IC. 

B 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/27/18 

K. 

RiKER,  Harry  I. 

p. 

B 

_      «           « 

9/25/18 

W. 

Saar,  Martin 

p. 

B 

-308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/25/18 

K. 

Schumann,  Gerard  H. 

p. 

B 

_      "           " 

9/25/18 

K. 

Verlin,  Bernard  E. 

p. 

A 

-  308th  M.G.Bn. 

9/22/18 

K. 

Adams,  Lawrence  S. 

Cpl. 

D 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/29/18 

W. 

Ball,  John,  Jr. 

p. 

B 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

9/27/18 

K. 

Brockner,  Ellwood  W. 

p. 

B 

_         u                « 

10/30/18 

K. 

Honor  Roll 

23< 

Name. 

Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

Key. 

Clinton,  Edmund  P. 

P.IC. 

A 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/19/18 

K. 

Connolly,  Patrick  A. 

P. 

D 

_        u              u 

10/19/18 

K. 

CuRRiE,  Jacob  T. 

Cpl. 

D 

_       "               " 

10/25/18 

K. 

Dale,  William 

Cpl. 

D 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Deakyne,  Irving  H. 

p. 

D 

_      «           (( 

10/31/18 

K. 

DOBBS,    JORDON   E. 

P. 

D 

_        «                u 

10/  1/18 

K. 

Eg  AN,  John  G. 

p. 

C 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/  1/18 

K. 

Gatewood,  Major  E. 

Sgt. 

C 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/21/18 

K. 

Johnson,  Nels  C. 

p. 

D 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Kracht,  Benjamin  S. 

p. 

A 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

9/18/18  (i*) 

W. 

KuLAS,  Charles 

p. 

D 

__      "           " 

10/24/18 

K. 

Lawrence,  Fred  J. 

P.IC. 

C 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/21/18 

K. 

LoNERGAN,  James  F. 

p. 

D 

_      "           " 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Qtjackenbush,  Andrew 

P.IC. 

D 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/  1/18 

K. 

Razim,  Charles  S. 

P.IC. 

C 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/26/18 

w.  ■ 

Rheingans,  Louis  G. 

p. 

D 

_     a                 u 

11/  1/18 

K. 

Rhymer,  Ray  0. 

Cpl. 

C 

_     u                  a 

10/27/18 

W. 

Seaman,  Allen  M. 

P.IC. 

C 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

11/  ]/18 

W. 

Whitehead,  Charles  E. 

Cpl. 

c 

-309th  M.G.Bn. 

10/26/18 

K. 

Wilson,  Glen  M. 

p. 

D 

_      «           " 

10/25/18 

K. 

Bluemel,  Ernest 

Sgt.  IC. 

D 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/30/18 

K. 

Carson,  William  H. 

P.IC. 

A 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/19/18 

K. 

Fabrez,  Sam. 

p. 

C 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/25/18 

W 

Farley,  Peter  V. 

P.IC. 

B 

_      "         « 

9/26/18 

K 

Ferrell,  Horace  M. 

p 

A 

_      «         « 

9/29/18 

K 

Gallagher,  Lindley  K. 

p. 

C 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/21/18 

K 

German,  Roscoe  L 

p 

B 

_      «         « 

9/28/18 

K 

Lemieux,  Edward  H. 

p. 

C 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/22/18 

W. 

Rauch,  James  E. 

p. 

c 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/21/18 

K. 

SiNER,  George  W. 

p. 

A 

-303rd  Eng. 

10/26/18 

K. 

Sprague,  Harry  H. 

Wag. 

B 

_     «            u 

9/28/18 

K. 

SwANNELL,  Thomas  B. 

P. 

A 

_     u            u 

9/29/18 

K. 

Walsh,  Mark 

P. 

C 

-303rd  Eng. 

9/22/18 

K. 

Billings,  Leo  J. 

P.IC. 

c 

-303rd  F.S.Bn 

10/24/18 

W. 

Clancy,  Leland  S. 

P.IC. 

B 

-303rd  F.S.Bn. 

8/19/18 

A.D 

Wolf,  Henry  J. 

P.IC. 

C 

-303ra  F.S.Bn. 

9/20/18 

K. 

McGivNEY,  Raymond  T. 

p. 

311th  Amb.  Co. 

8/28/18 

K. 

DIED  OF  DISEASE 


Name. 
Afarian,  Haroutun 
Albertsox,  Ellsworth  E. 
Alexander,  Orville  B. 
Allisox,  Harley  W. 
Allmax,  George  J. 
Ash,  Alfred  Dee 
AuBERGER,  Charles 
Aucoix,  George  T. 
AuDET,  Claus  J. 
Avery,  Preston  P. 
Bamford,  Robert 
Bartel,  August  M. 
Bartlett,  Herbert  N. 
Beels,  Alfred 
Behrens,  Fred 
Berxescoxi,  Raymond 
BlAXTHI,   Carix) 
Bishop,  Roscoe  W. 
BoccHixo,  George 
BoTT,  Eddie 
Boyd,  Robert 
Brexxan,  William 
Brok.\w,  Chester 
Bross,  William  E. 
Browx,  Raymoxd  G. 
Brzostowk'z,  Joseph  H. 
Burke,  Johx  E. 
Burke,'  Thomas  A. 

BURXS,   Fr   NK   W. 

Butler,  Patrick  P. 
Buzzoxi,  Arthur 
Cabrera,  Joseph  R. 
Cadwall.\der,  Donald 
Campbell,  Harry  L. 
Carpoale,  Anthony 
Carney,  James 
Cary,  Chester  D. 
Cassatt,  Charles  T. 
Charles,  Louis 
Ciliberti,  Nicola 
Clark,  Joseph  V. 
Cl.\yburn,  George 
CoNOVER,  James 
CooNROD,  William 
CoRCAX,  John  G. 
CuLLEN,  Patrick  J. 
Cunningham,  John- 
Dancer,  George  W. 
Dane,  Elmer  W. 
Douglas,  William  T. 
Drestal,  Edward 
Drew,  Walter  T. 
Drouin,  George  W. 
Duxx,  Thomas  J. 
Eitel,  Charles  A. 
Farrell,  Thomas  A. 
Feketie,  John  J. 
Fitzgerald,  Amos 
Fri^bie,  Edgar  C. 
Gachinsky,  Adam 
Garrone,  Michael 
Gary,  Charles  P. 
Gavix,  William  F. 


fta/tt. 

Organization. 

Date  of  D  ath. 

P. 

A  -310th  Inf. 

3/  5/19 

PIC. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

2/11/19 

P. 

E  -303rd  Eng. 

12/16/18 

Cpl. 

B  -309th  Inf. 

2/24/19 

PIC. 

F  -307th  F.  A. 

3/19/19 

PIC. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

2/10/19 

Wag. 

Sup-3nth  Inf. 

2/  5/19 

PIC. 

M  -310th  Inf. 

1/13/19 

PIC. 

E  -312th  Inf. 

2/18/19 

Cook 

K  -310th  Inf. 

12/28/18 

Cook 

I   -312th  Inf. 

11/28/18 

P. 

L  -309th  Inf. 

10/22/18 

P. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

3/22/19   . 

P. 

L  -311th  Inf. 

1/  7/19 

Sgt. 

B  -303rd  Eng. 

(?) 

Mech. 

E  -308th  F.  A. 

2/12/19 

P. 

SD  -310th  Inf. 

12/17/18 

B  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

7/  5/18  (.^) 

P. 

B  -308th  F.  A. 

2/21/19 

P. 

HQ -311th  Inf. 

1/22/19 

P. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

2/10/19 

PIC. 

E  -303rd  Eng. 

2/17/19 

P. 

A  -307th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/17/19 

P. 

B  -307th  F.  A. 

2/10/19 

PIC. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

1/18/19 

p. 

G  -309th  Inf. 

11/28/18 

PIC. 

HQ-309thM.  G.  Bn. 

11/29/18  (.'») 

PIC. 

Sup-311th  Inf. 

2/13/19 

Sgt. 

E  -310th  Inf. 

3/13/19 

p. 

E  -309th  F.  A. 

2/16/19 

Wag. 

303rd  Eng.  Tr. 

12/  5/18 

P. 

SD  -312th  Inf. 

12/31/18 

Sgt. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

1/18/19 

p. 

I   -309th  Inf. 

4/  2/19 

Cook 

HQ-307thF.  A. 

2/18/19 

Wag. 

Sup-311th  Inf. 

2/  7/19 

Cook 

H  -311th  Inf. 

10/18/18  {;■) 

P. 

MD-309th  Inf. 

12/28/18 

Hr  Shr. 

A  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

6/12/19 

P. 

A  -303rd  Eng. 

1/  9/19 

P. 

B  -303rd  M.  P. 

2/  7/19 

PIC. 

B  -309th  Inf. 

2/25/19 

P. 

L  -311th  Inf. 

2/19/19 

P. 

A  -308th  F.  A. 

11/  3/18 

P. 

K  -311th  Inf. 

11/17/18 

P. 

H  -310th  Inf. 

8/22/18 

P. 

C  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

1/28/19 

P. 

A  -307th  F.  A. 

2/18/19 

Sgt. 

G  -309th  Inf. 

2/11/19 

p. 

C  -310th  Inf. 

2/12/19 

p. 

D  -309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

3/  7/19 

Wag. 

B  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

3/  8/19 

PIC. 

A  -309th  Inf. 

2/11/19 

P. 

Sup-311th  Inf. 

2/27/19 

Wag. 

Sup-312th  Inf. 

2/15/19 

P. 

C  -310th  Inf. 

2/12/19 

P. 

MG-312th  Inf. 

2/28/19 

H  -312th  Inf. 

2/19/19 

PIC. 

HQ -31 1th  Inf. 

12/19/18 

P. 

HQ -310th  Inf. 

1/  2/19 

P. 

D  -312th  Inf. 

11/  7/19 

Wag. 

A  -309th  F.  A. 

3/15/19 

P. 

E  -308th  F.  A. 

2/  8/19 

242 


History  of  the  Seventy -eighth  Division 


Name. 
Geddes,  Percy  A. 
Gerew,  Orval 
Gibson,  Henry  F. 
Gilbert,  Mark  J. 
Goffe,  Albert  P. 
Green,  Paul 
Grennan,  Thomas  F. 
GuiLFOYLE,  John  J. 
Gully,  Frederick  C. 
GuRNEE,  Amasa  F. 
Haight,  Harris  L. 
Hakes,  Burt  D. 
Hammell,  Charles  A. 
Hammett,  Charles  L. 
Hardy,  Robert 
Haremza,  Steve 
Henry,  Lawrence  R. 
Hersh,  Russell 
Hitchcock,  John  A. 
Hoffman,  Ward  N. 
HoGAN,  Westley  T. 
HoLDEN,  Clinton  A. 
Houston,  George  S. 
Huntley,  Clarence  B. 
Jackson,  Albert  H. 
Jenkins,  Henry  J. 
Johnson,  Albert  L. 
Kinney,  Daneil  H. 
KisLEY,  Anton 
Klomps,  Harry 

KOHLER.    ChARI  ES   I. 

Lake,  Bazel  G. 
Lane,  Joseph 
LeFrancis,  Fred  E. 
Lehmann,  Louis  J. 
Leonhardt,  William  F. 
LiPARi,  Samuel 
LuoTo,  August  M. 
McCarthy,  John  J. 
McGuiRE,  Wallace  F. 
McMahon,  Bernard  J. 
McNuLTY,  Joseph  T. 
Malizapke,  Frank 
Martin,  Percy 
Mascanz,  Joseph 
Meade,  Raymond  J. 
Miles,  T.  P. 
Miller,  William  B.,  Jr. 
MiLLiNGTON,  John  J. 
Moon,  James  S. 
MoRAN,  Eugene  J. 
Morgan,  Elmer 
Moschell,  Frank  J. 
Murray,  John  J. 
Mutchnick,  Max 
Neiss,  Andrew  S. 
Nightengale,  Walter  T. 
O'Brien,  Hugh  J. 
O'Hare,  Daniel 
O'Mara,  Eugene  P. 
Orchard,  Harry  H. 
Pagliaroli,  Isidoro 
Palmer,  Charles  B. 
Peckham,  Homer  L. 
Pelland,  Victor  P. 
Phipps,  Harry  B. 
Prowda,  Manuel 
Quinlan,  Raymond  J. 


Rank. 

Organization. 

Date  of  Death. 

P. 

Cas.  Det.  78tli 

2/14/19 

P. 

G  -309th  Inf. 

6/  8/18 

P. 

78th  M.  P.  Co. 

9/24/18 

P. 

MG  309th  Inf. 

2/21/19 

P. 

HQ  -310th  Inf. 

3/12/19 

PIC. 

K  -312th  Inf. 

4/11/19 

P. 

D  -307th  F.  A. 

2/22/19 

PIC. 

A  -309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/10/19 

P. 

F  -310th  Inf. 

2/22/19 

Cpl. 

E  -308th  F.  A. 

2/l.')/19 

p. 

HQ -312th  Inf. 

11/  1/18 

Cpl. 

D  -303rd  Sup.  Tr. 

11/30/18 

p. 

MD-309th  F.  A. 

2/10/19 

PIC. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

2/12/19 

Wag. 

D  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

3/19/19 

P. 

K  -311th  Inf. 

8/11/18 

Cook 

-309th  F.  H. 

2/13/19 

P. 

A  -309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/18/19 

P. 

K  -312th  Inf. 

4/17/19 

Sgt. 

M  -311th  Inf. 

1/  7/19 

PIC. 

F  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

12/24/18 

p 

A  -307th  F.  A. 

2/16/19 

PIC. 

B  -309th  Inf. 

2/26/19 

PIC. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

2/20/19 

P. 

C  -311th  Inf. 

3/19/19 

P. 

D  -303rd  Eng. 

8/  7/18 

P. 

K  -310th  Inf. 

3/  9/19 

p. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

2/12/19 

p. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

2/  5/19 

p. 

C  -307th  F.  A. 

1/  5/19 

p. 

B  -307th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/  9/19 

1st  Sgt. 

B  -307th  F.  A. 

12/  2/18 

P. 

Sup-308th  F.  A. 

3/  4/19 

P. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

2/20/19 

Sgt. 

HQ -31 1th  Inf. 

1/  8/19 

p. 

Sup-308th  F.  A. 

2/17/19 

Cpl. 

E  -310th  Inf. 

11/26/18 

p. 

E  -303rd  Eng. 

12/22/18 

Cpl. 

H  -310th  Inf. 

1/16/19 

p. 

311th  salv.  Unit 

2/19/19 

p. 

G  -310th  Inf. 

2/  7/19 

PIC. 

E  -312th  Inf. 

12/15/18 

PIC. 

L  -311th  Inf. 

2/19/19 

p. 

F  -303rd  Eng. 

10/31/18 

p. 

A  -309th  Inf. 

10/21/18 

Sgt. 

A  -307th  M.  G.  Bn. 

12/29/18 

p. 

M  -309th  Inf. 

1/29/19 

p. 

F  -307th  F.  A. 

3/  6/19 

PIC.  - 

L  -309th  Inf. 

5/  1/19 

PIC. 

E  -308th  F.  A. 

12/17/18 

p. 

B  -307th  F.  A. 

3/18/19 

p. 

E  -303rd  Amhi.  Tr. 

2/  5/19 

p. 

Cas.  Det.  78th 

2/  8/19   ■ 

p. 

C  -309th  F.  A. 

2/20/19 

p. 

HQ  -310th  Inf. 

2/10/19 

p. 

K  -309th  Inf. 

(A.  D.)  4/10/19 

Cpl. 

C  -303rd  F.  S.  Bn. 

11/12/18 

Cpl. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

2/  5/19 

p. 

A  -308th  F.  A. 

2/27/19 

Cpl. 

G  -311th  Inf. 

2/14/19 

B.  S.  M. 

HQ  -312th  Inf. 

10/28/18 

PIC. 

K  -312th  Inf. 

3/20/19 

p. 

HQ  -309th  F.  A. 

2/  9/19 

Sgt. 

HQ.  Det.  153rd  F.  A.  Bg. 

2/19/19 

p. 

L  -310th  Inf. 

11/  5/18 

p. 

C  -303rd  Eng. 

9/22/18  (.5) 

Muse. 

HQ-307thF.  A. 

2/17/19 

PIC. 

E  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

2/  6/19 

Died  of  Disease 


243 


Name.  Rank. 

Rainey,  Herbert  J.  P. 

Read,  John  H.  R.  S.  M. 

Reading,  Harry  A.  Sup.  Sgt. 

Reardon,  Daniel  F.  P. 

Reed,  John  F.  P. 

Reid.  James  P- 

Repardi,  Frank  P. 

Richardson,  Andrew  M.  P. 

RiGHTMYER,    WiLLIAM    M.  P. 

Roach,  Emmet  P. 

Rosenfield,  Herman  J.  P. 

Ross,  George  P. 

Roth,  William  G.  P. 

RuGGERio,  Joseph  PlC. 

Ruiz,  Narciso  P- 

Sarver,  William  E.  P. 

Satzger,  Edward  Cpl. 

Saunders,  Carl  C.  Band  Cpl. 

Sawyer,  John  C.  P. 

Schmehl,  Fred  J.  P. 

Schmitz,  John  M.  P. 

Schreader,  Benjamin  H.  P. 

Schwam,  Morris  I.  P. 

Servinski,  Stanislaw  p. 

Skeels,  Walter  D.  P. 

Smith,  Sam  B.  Cpl. 

Smith,  William  S.  P. 

Stannard,  Alfonso  P. 

Sullivan,  Timothy  P. 

Taccone,  Sam  P. 

Tallinger,  Arthur  J.  P. 

Temple,  Harold  R.  P. 

Terris,  Louis  PlC. 

Thompson,  Edward  P. 

Thornton,  Lewis  F.  P. 

Titus,  Henry,  S.  PlC. 

Urbain,  Ferdinand  A.  P. 

Vancour,  Edmund  P. 

Vanderbeek,  George  R.  Sgt. 

Van  Marter,  Harry  H.  P. 

Vann,  Arthur  W.  Mech. 

Van  Orden  Perry  Hr  Shr. 

Van  Wert,  Ralph  Cook 

Veech,  William  P. 

VerHage,  Peter  Cpl. 

VoLK,  Joseph  W.  P. 

Vols,  Camille  PlC. 

Wade,  Joseph  P.  PlC. 

Walker,  Howell  E.  P. 

Warner,  James  C.  Sgt. 

Warren,  William  J.  P. 

Weinberger,  Meyer  P. 

Wilcox,  Myrle,  A.  Wag. 

Wood,  Dana  W.  Wag 

York,  Robert  H.  P. 


Orqanization. 

Date  of  Death. 

B  -309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/23/19 

HQ.  Det.  78th  Div. 

2/17/19 

E  -311th  Inf. 

10/31/18 

311th  Salv.  Unit 

2/17/19 

HQ -311th  Inf. 

1/13/19 

G  -312th  Inf. 

3/  7/19 

HQ-303rdSan.  Tr. 

2/10/19  - 

C  -308th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/19/19 

G  -311th  Inf. 

3/19/19 

A  -303rd  Eng. 

12/12/18 

HQ  -309th  F.  A. 

2/13/19 

B  -310th  Inf. 

3/  3/19 

C  -303rd  Eng. 

8/1  /18 

F  -310th  Inf. 

2/  6/19 

C  -311th  Inf. 

2/18/19 

C  -308th  F.  A. 

2/  9/19  ■ 

E  -303rd  Sup.  Tr. 

2/17/19 

HQ  -310th  Inf. 

2/24/19 

B  -308th  F.  A. 

2/26/19 

A  -307th  F.  A. 

2/18/19 

G  -310th  Inf. 

10/18/18 

Sup-30i)th  F.  A. 

3/12/19 

D  -309th  Inf. 

2/24/19 

L  -311th  Inf. 

3/  2/19 

D  -308thM.  G.  Bn. 

2/16/19 

I   -310th  Inf. 

1/31/19 

M  -312th  Inf. 

2/  5/19 

311th  Salv.  Unit 

2/15/19 

C  -308th  M.  G.  Bn. 

10/31/18 

E  -309th  F.  A. 

2/11/19 

309th  F.  H. 

2/  8/19 

MG-312th  Inf. 

2/16/19 

K  -311th  Inf. 

1/  3/19 

C  -308th  F.  A. 

2/18/19 

E  -308th  F.  A. 

2/13/19 

E  -309th  Inf. 

8/21/18 

HQ -308th  F.  A. 

2/17/19 

M  -311th  Inf. 

12/29/18 

HQ -309th  Inf. 

2/20/19 

A  -307th  F.  A. 

2/15/19 

G  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

2/12/19 

D  -309th  F.  A. 

2/11/19 

F  -310th  Inf. 

12/20/18  (?) 

E  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

2/21/19 

F  -303rd  Amm  Tr. 

12/  5/18 

B  -312th  Inf. 

11/26/19 

E  -308th  F.  A. 

2/22/19 

K  -312th  Inf. 

3/20/19 

D  -309th  M.  G.  Bn. 

2/  2/19 

K  -310th  Inf. 

12/24/18 

C  -310th  Inf. 

2/17/19 

D  -310th  Inf. 

3/14/19 

G  -303rd  Amm.  Tr. 

2/14/19 

Sup -310th  Inf. 

1/  5/19 

F  -30Srd  Amm.  Tr. 

(A.D.)  2/20/19 

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